<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                      22,418,003
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               15,303,202
<ALLOWANCES>                                   106,073
<INVENTORY>                                128,364,435
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           169,915,392
<PP&E>                                     734,882,496
<DEPRECIATION>                             204,654,991
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             707,964,717
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      161,408,783
<BONDS>                                    349,511,494
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       905,208
<OTHER-SE>                                 174,104,654
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               707,964,717
<SALES>                                  1,472,577,792
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,482,157,995
<CGS>                                    1,126,929,804
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            1,131,395,167
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            (3,103,633)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                30,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          28,968,921
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             33,631,466
<INCOME-TAX>                                12,900,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         20,731,466
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                20,731,466
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.03