<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS ON PAGES
THREE THROUGH FIVE OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE 28 WEEKS ENDED AUGUST 15,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-15-1998
<CASH>                                           7,235
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,793
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     63,007
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                95,389
<PP&E>                                         134,505
<DEPRECIATION>                                 111,568
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 481,597
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          112,886
<BONDS>                                        267,980
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      30,575
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   481,597
<SALES>                                        426,042
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               426,042
<CGS>                                          286,945
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  118,995
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,617
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,485
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,215
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,270
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,270
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0