<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