<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 1998 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-02-1997
<CASH>                                           9,106
<SECURITIES>                                     8,518
<RECEIVABLES>                                   31,572
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,899
<INVENTORY>                                    123,466
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               176,645
<PP&E>                                         101,901
<DEPRECIATION>                                  60,523
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 227,506
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,826
<BONDS>                                         75,082
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,938
<COMMON>                                        26,141
<OTHER-SE>                                      36,496
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   227,506
<SALES>                                        234,209
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               234,209
<CGS>                                          137,209
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  137,209
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,718
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,073
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,376
<INCOME-TAX>                                        61
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,315
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,315
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .23