<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-29-2000 <PERIOD-END> JAN-29-2000 <CASH> 79,245,779 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 94,204,330 <ALLOWANCES> 3,423,619 <INVENTORY> 55,765,425 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 235,112,882 <PP&E> 170,126,900 <DEPRECIATION> 78,329,382 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 417,833,799 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 71,857,002 <BONDS> 11,690,089 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 12,989,377 <OTHER-SE> 311,737,006 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 417,833,799 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 319,285,541 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 240,645,195 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 14,146,965 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 465,728 <INCOME-PRETAX> 40,515,558 <INCOME-TAX> 16,055,767 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,459,791 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 24,459,791 <EPS-BASIC> 0.63 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.62