<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-30-1995
<CASH>                                      22,409,810
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               18,632,812
<ALLOWANCES>                                    85,259
<INVENTORY>                                118,088,426
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           163,997,868
<PP&E>                                     652,100,689
<DEPRECIATION>                             181,189,020
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             640,401,954
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      160,224,676
<BONDS>                                    293,966,802
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       895,208
<OTHER-SE>                                 164,889,107
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               640,401,954
<SALES>                                    357,406,265
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           359,514,799
<CGS>                                      275,038,436
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              276,151,623
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (569,784)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           7,238,227
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              7,622,116
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,900,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          4,722,116
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,722,116
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .24