<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-04-1997
<CASH>                                          55,839
<SECURITIES>                                    11,529
<RECEIVABLES>                                  160,874
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    414,034
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               650,574
<PP&E>                                         524,009
<DEPRECIATION>                               (334,801)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,100,240
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          280,939
<BONDS>                                        452,056
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,293
<OTHER-SE>                                     305,568
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,100,240
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               664,487
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  581,414
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                20,926
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,276
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,871
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,812
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,059
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,059
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.73