<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND AUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 53 WEEKS ENDED FEBRUARY 2,
1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-02-1997
<CASH>                                          67,589
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,148
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (4,057)
<INVENTORY>                                    502,095
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               643,133
<PP&E>                                       1,353,703
<DEPRECIATION>                               (301,477)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,131,993
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          825,774
<BONDS>                                      2,344,406
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    192,831
<COMMON>                                        56,263
<OTHER-SE>                                   (568,362)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,131,993
<SALES>                                      5,516,259
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,516,259
<CGS>                                        4,326,230
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,326,230
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,035,392
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             284,217
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (129,580)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (129,580)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (129,580)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.54)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.54)