<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-27-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                           3,904
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,466
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    555,894
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               613,097
<PP&E>                                       1,061,166
<DEPRECIATION>                                 198,292
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,498,397
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          612,878
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,501
<OTHER-SE>                                     864,081
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,498,397
<SALES>                                      2,242,633
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,242,633
<CGS>                                        1,307,638
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,307,638
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               666,061
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,969
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                266,965
<INCOME-TAX>                                    99,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            167,165
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   167,165
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.11