<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 30, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                      23,381,684
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               17,966,052
<ALLOWANCES>                                    85,598
<INVENTORY>                                122,224,192
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           168,039,278
<PP&E>                                     674,333,348
<DEPRECIATION>                             188,987,617
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             658,774,829
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      167,442,955
<BONDS>                                    301,394,995
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       905,208
<OTHER-SE>                                 168,105,510
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               658,774,829
<SALES>                                    721,629,574
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           726,033,801
<CGS>                                      554,937,363
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              557,106,990
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            (1,479,263)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          14,507,888
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             14,752,823
<INCOME-TAX>                                 5,600,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          9,152,823
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 9,152,823
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .46