<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-27-1997 <PERIOD-START> DEC-29-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-27-1997 <CASH> 27,481 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 287,592 <ALLOWANCES> 4,431 <INVENTORY> 486,199 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 812,757 <PP&E> 86,366 <DEPRECIATION> 74,491 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,004,089 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 731,591 <BONDS> 55,250 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,157 <OTHER-SE> 213,091 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,004,089 <SALES> 2,827,238 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,827,238 <CGS> 2,539,759 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,539,759 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 233,304 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 21,673 <INCOME-PRETAX> 32,502 <INCOME-TAX> 13,319 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 19,183 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 19,183 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.65 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.49