<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-04-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1996
<CASH>                                         154,037
<SECURITIES>                                    60,922
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,109,728
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,564,487
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             3,169,266
<PP&E>                                       4,197,288
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,605,475
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,618,186
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,764,355
<BONDS>                                      2,238,975
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        319
<COMMON>                                       107,774
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,595,566
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,618,186
<SALES>                                      6,575,708
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             6,575,708
<CGS>                                        4,166,161
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,166,161
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             208,849
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                780,116
<INCOME-TAX>                                   290,996
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            489,120
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   489,120
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.29
<FN>
<F1>Per share amounts reflect the three-for-two stock
split, which was effective October 3, 1995.
</FN>