<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 1, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-01-1996 <PERIOD-START> MAY-04-1995 <PERIOD-END> NOV-01-1995 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 135,497 <SECURITIES> 54,310 <RECEIVABLES> 1,169,231 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 1,616,277 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,264,525 <PP&E> 4,170,350 <DEPRECIATION> 1,580,125 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 8,695,517 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,778,101 <BONDS> 2,330,216 <COMMON> 107,774 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 350 <OTHER-SE> 2,561,557 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 8,695,517 <SALES> 4,382,570 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,382,570 <CGS> 2,785,331 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,785,331 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 137,991 <INCOME-PRETAX> 534,784 <INCOME-TAX> 202,148 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 332,636 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 332,636 <EPS-PRIMARY> .88 <EPS-DILUTED> .88 <FN> <F1>The appropriate amounts have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock split, which was effective October 3, 1995. </FN>