<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS ANS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-24-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-26-1997
<CASH>                                          48,353
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   87,066
<ALLOWANCES>                                       749
<INVENTORY>                                    949,116
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,112,500
<PP&E>                                         298,969
<DEPRECIATION>                                 142,280
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,763,277
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          604,751
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       856,207
<OTHER-SE>                                     228,116
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,763,277
<SALES>                                      1,664,784
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,664,784
<CGS>                                        1,293,254
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,293,254
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 29,705
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,525
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,180
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,180
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .15