<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 28, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-29-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-28-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         195,979
<SECURITIES>                                    12,435
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,037,415
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,446,611
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,900,046
<PP&E>                                       4,060,852
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,728,564
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,127,790
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,050,431
<BONDS>                                      2,925,537
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        214
<COMMON>                                       107,774
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,224,025
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,127,790
<SALES>                                      6,733,386
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             6,733,386
<CGS>                                        4,196,835
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,196,835
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             190,956
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                967,253
<INCOME-TAX>                                   346,930
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            620,323
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   620,323
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.69<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.66
<FN>
<F1>Represents basic earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128.
</FN>