<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 27, 1999 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-28-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-27-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         148,313
<SECURITIES>                                     8,325
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,089,812
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,482,737
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,920,215
<PP&E>                                       4,081,057
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,781,384
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,178,553
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,990,725
<BONDS>                                      3,204,907
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        174
<COMMON>                                       107,774
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,999,024
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,178,553
<SALES>                                      6,832,694
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             6,832,694
<CGS>                                        4,175,262
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,175,262
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             195,081
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                903,357
<INCOME-TAX>                                   337,684
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            565,673
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   565,673
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.56<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.54
<FN>
<F1>Represents basic earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128.
</FN>