<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND AUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 52 WEEKS ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-03-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-01-1998
<CASH>                                          75,601
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,652
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,023)
<INVENTORY>                                    514,387
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               652,139
<PP&E>                                       1,465,018
<DEPRECIATION>                               (396,013)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,076,073
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          801,064
<BONDS>                                      2,117,007
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            15
<OTHER-SE>                                   (116,859)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,076,073
<SALES>                                      5,487,469
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,487,469
<CGS>                                        4,347,549
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,347,549
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               935,319
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             236,695
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (32,094)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (32,094)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 47,983
<CHANGES>                                        3,325
<NET-INCOME>                                  (83,402)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0