<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 12, 1997
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-03-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-12-1997
<CASH>                                          63,524
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,708
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,630)
<INVENTORY>                                    492,894
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               626,261
<PP&E>                                       1,447,859
<DEPRECIATION>                               (367,171)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,076,768
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          776,329
<BONDS>                                      2,136,580
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            15
<OTHER-SE>                                   (109,518)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,076,768
<SALES>                                      3,778,470
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,778,470
<CGS>                                        3,000,531
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,000,531
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               640,329
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             163,726
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (26,116)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (26,116)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 47,983
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (74,099)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (48.94)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0