<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 29,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS. 
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                      28,723,709
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               15,431,515
<ALLOWANCES>                                   114,788
<INVENTORY>                                127,221,934
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           176,224,895
<PP&E>                                     781,846,722
<DEPRECIATION>                             222,452,381
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             742,775,486
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      220,533,488
<BONDS>                                    278,645,426
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,092,337
<OTHER-SE>                                 219,169,657
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               742,775,486
<SALES>                                    757,258,256
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           762,223,850
<CGS>                                      574,297,472
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              576,586,133
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            (1,103,754)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          15,287,807
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             17,720,086
<INCOME-TAX>                                 6,800,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         10,920,086
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (565,275)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                10,354,811
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .50