<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIODS INDICATED AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-30-1997
<CASH>                                         101,353
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  101,470
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,188,361
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,481,117
<PP&E>                                         546,953
<DEPRECIATION>                                 222,725
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,820,368
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          900,044
<BONDS>                                        217,820
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,381
<OTHER-SE>                                     442,460
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,820,368
<SALES>                                      3,399,755
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,399,755
<CGS>                                        2,862,964
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,862,964
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               511,649
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,570
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,572
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,563
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,009
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,009
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .09