<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-03-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-01-1997
<CASH>                                          47,389
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   76,213
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,026
<INVENTORY>                                    345,865
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               481,675
<PP&E>                                         949,401
<DEPRECIATION>                                 414,596
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,644,697
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          323,069
<BONDS>                                      1,417,259
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        13,643
<OTHER-SE>                                   (158,702)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,644,697
<SALES>                                      2,221,436
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,259,458
<CGS>                                        1,735,448
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,735,448
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               488,966
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             112,208
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (77,164)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,888
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (48,276)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (48,276)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (4.44)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0