<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 29, 1997 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>                          APR-29-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-29-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         178,980
<SECURITIES>                                    42,246
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,070,948
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,555,231
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             3,086,473
<PP&E>                                       4,183,217
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,819,255
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,383,663
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,640,266
<BONDS>                                      2,457,043
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        217
<COMMON>                                       107,774
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,327,848
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,383,663
<SALES>                                      4,497,352
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,497,352
<CGS>                                        2,817,617
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,817,617
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             126,108
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                698,640
<INCOME-TAX>                                   266,473
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            432,167
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   432,167
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.15