<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ITEM 1
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              AUG-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 AUG-26-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                         1,011
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  39,844
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (5,995)
<INVENTORY>                                    15,912
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               52,413
<PP&E>                                         35,667
<DEPRECIATION>                                 1,349
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 205,591
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          35,058
<BONDS>                                        125,648
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    47,500
<COMMON>                                       4
<OTHER-SE>                                     (2,619)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   205,591
<SALES>                                        61,678
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               61,678
<CGS>                                          32,746
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  60,392
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               5,971
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               327,432
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             6,224
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,685)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   50
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,735)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,735)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (14.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (14.09)