<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         MAY-02-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            NOV-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                          14654
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                  257962
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                    205949
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               489146 
<PP&E>                                         200972
<DEPRECIATION>                                 112851
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 648420
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          238163
<BONDS>                                        122140
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                          324
<OTHER-SE>                                     285159
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   648420
<SALES>                                        308202 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               308202
<CGS>                                          231882         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  231882 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                63326
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3097
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9897
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3852
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6954
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                     6954
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .21
<FN>
Notes:
 
The Company recognized minority interest income in the amount of $909,000 in the
consolidated statement of operations, which represents the minority 
shareholders' portion of the loss for less than wholly-owned subsidiaries.
</FN>