<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND BALANCE SHEETS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-26-1997
<CASH>                                     138,232,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               75,691,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                              1,421,529,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         1,652,660,000
<PP&E>                                   1,131,993,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             471,070,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           2,573,992,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    1,149,297,000
<BONDS>                                    243,262,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      120,410,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                   161,218,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 887,264,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             2,573,992,000
<SALES>                                  3,258,522,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         3,258,522,000
<CGS>                                    2,525,880,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            2,525,880,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           557,526,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,400,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            172,716,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                71,677,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        101,039,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               101,039,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.56