<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 36 WEEKS ENDED OCTOBER 6, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-06-1996
<CASH>                                          67,022
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   67,901
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,544)
<INVENTORY>                                    482,805
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               648,309
<PP&E>                                       1,305,735
<DEPRECIATION>                               (260,821)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,146,899
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          888,603
<BONDS>                                      1,989,487
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       466,798
<OTHER-SE>                                   (473,054)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,146,899
<SALES>                                      3,695,594
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,695,594
<CGS>                                        2,908,631
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,908,631
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               683,941
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             168,407
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (65,385)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (65,385)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (65,385)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (43.19)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0