<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE 53 WEEKS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-23-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                           6,100
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  424,156
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (13,415)
<INVENTORY>                                  1,115,529
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,612,060
<PP&E>                                       2,707,898
<DEPRECIATION>                             (1,118,297)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,093,010
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,457,160
<BONDS>                                      1,260,728
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      5,908
<COMMON>                                        75,335
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,120,662
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,093,010
<SALES>                                     17,201,378
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            17,201,378
<CGS>                                       15,430,642
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               15,430,642
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,791
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             133,619
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                384,780
<INCOME-TAX>                                   154,023
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            230,757
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   230,757
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.65