<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF SEPTEMBER 6, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE 28 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 6, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-23-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                SEP-6-1997
<CASH>                                          39,173
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  395,759
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (15,294)
<INVENTORY>                                  1,063,070
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,573,907
<PP&E>                                       2,657,050
<DEPRECIATION>                             (1,077,514)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,008,135
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,419,917
<BONDS>                                      1,215,681
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      5,908
<COMMON>                                        75,335
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,110,265
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,008,135
<SALES>                                      8,899,315
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             8,899,315
<CGS>                                        8,004,900
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                8,004,900
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,221
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              71,167
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                231,097
<INCOME-TAX>                                    92,216
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            138,881
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   138,881
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.14