<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE TWO FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED JULY 12, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-27-1997 <PERIOD-START> DEC-29-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUL-12-1997 <CASH> 3,888 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 344,797 <ALLOWANCES> 21,266 <INVENTORY> 930,368 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,342,410 <PP&E> 1,578,707 <DEPRECIATION> 659,232 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,775,073 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,175,394 <BONDS> 995,519 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 94,510 <OTHER-SE> 999,481 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,775,073 <SALES> 8,302,685 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 8,302,685 <CGS> 7,539,338 <TOTAL-COSTS> 8,167,938 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 11,235 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 85,045 <INCOME-PRETAX> 38,467 <INCOME-TAX> 20,388 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,079 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18,079 <EPS-PRIMARY> .48 <EPS-DILUTED> .48