<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-30-1999
<CASH>                                          27,900
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    562,400
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               634,100
<PP&E>                                         298,100
<DEPRECIATION>                                 116,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 869,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          255,700
<BONDS>                                        329,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     248,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   869,500
<SALES>                                        925,200
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               925,200
<CGS>                                          487,200
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  898,300
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,100
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .27