<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-27-1997 <PERIOD-START> DEC-29-1996 <PERIOD-END> OCT-04-1997 <CASH> 27,019 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 332,165 <ALLOWANCES> 22,352 <INVENTORY> 997,219 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,429,191 <PP&E> 1,595,454 <DEPRECIATION> 673,326 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,869,635 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,117,738 <BONDS> 1,137,684 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 94,510 <OTHER-SE> 995,858 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,869,635 <SALES> 11,755,946 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 11,755,946 <CGS> 10,670,361 <TOTAL-COSTS> 11,560,776 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 14,840 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 124,129 <INCOME-PRETAX> 56,201 <INCOME-TAX> 28,602 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 27,599 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (13,330) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 14,269 <EPS-PRIMARY> .38 <EPS-DILUTED> .38