<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-02-1999 <PERIOD-START> OCT-04-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUL-03-1999 <CASH> 9,967 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 129,583 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 214,998 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 364,295 <PP&E> 216,641 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 875,408 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 206,877 <BONDS> 459,223 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 51,907 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 875,408 <SALES> 557,733 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 557,733 <CGS> 453,154 <TOTAL-COSTS> 453,154 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 95,747 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 35,642 <INCOME-PRETAX> (23,782) <INCOME-TAX> 4,716 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (28,498) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (28,498) <EPS-BASIC> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0