<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