<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM UNAUDITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 12 WEEKS ENDED APRIL 21, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-21-1996
<CASH>                                          58,542
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   71,860
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,574)
<INVENTORY>                                    483,380
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               645,733
<PP&E>                                       1,448,808
<DEPRECIATION>                               (242,198)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,144,775
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          875,921
<BONDS>                                      1,997,472
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       466,798
<OTHER-SE>                                   (439,660)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,144,775
<SALES>                                      1,230,808
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,230,808
<CGS>                                          982,171
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  982,171
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               224,534
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              56,084
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (31,981)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (31,981)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (31,981)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (21.12)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0