<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 24 WEEKS ENDED JULY 20, 1997
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-03-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-20-1997
<CASH>                                          58,777
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   44,978
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,617)
<INVENTORY>                                    491,531
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               625,675
<PP&E>                                       1,406,003
<DEPRECIATION>                               (341,828)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,067,896
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          769,348
<BONDS>                                      2,130,091
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            15
<OTHER-SE>                                   (100,833)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,067,896
<SALES>                                      2,547,948
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,547,948
<CGS>                                        2,023,869
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,023,869
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               431,330
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             110,173
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (17,424)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (17,424)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 47,983
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (65,407)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (43.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (43.20)