<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 28, 1998 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-28-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-28-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         171,093
<SECURITIES>                                    10,428
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,081,156
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,507,845
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,998,691
<PP&E>                                       4,033,659
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,707,588
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,342,285
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,078,498
<BONDS>                                      3,138,793
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        178
<COMMON>                                       107,774
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,142,907
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,342,285
<SALES>                                      4,550,632
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,550,632
<CGS>                                        2,745,780
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,745,780
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             131,559
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                702,131
<INCOME-TAX>                                   257,012
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            445,119
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   445,119
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.23<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.21
<FN>
<F1>Represents basic earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128.
</FN>