<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-24-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-25-1997
<CASH>                                          80,585
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   82,278
<ALLOWANCES>                                       845
<INVENTORY>                                  1,097,583
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,286,080
<PP&E>                                         304,755
<DEPRECIATION>                                 157,480
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,960,698
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          771,235
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       856,730
<OTHER-SE>                                     259,784
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,960,698
<SALES>                                      2,657,149
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,657,149
<CGS>                                        2,050,206
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,050,206
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 81,068
<INCOME-TAX>                                    31,453
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             49,615
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    49,615
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .40