<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-25-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-26-1996
<CASH>                                         197,266
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,924
<ALLOWANCES>                                       766
<INVENTORY>                                    855,193
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,142,207
<PP&E>                                         309,772
<DEPRECIATION>                                 105,540
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,701,753
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          619,702
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                       853,299
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     180,445
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,701,753
<SALES>                                      2,212,508
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,212,508
<CGS>                                        1,727,046
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,727,046
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 63,434
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,803
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             38,631
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    38,631
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31