<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements for the periods indicated and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-29-1997
<CASH>                                         122,060
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  185,885
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,679,721
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,048,144
<PP&E>                                         565,229
<DEPRECIATION>                                 238,269
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,389,739
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,450,851
<BONDS>                                        211,624
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,391
<OTHER-SE>                                     470,433
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,389,739
<SALES>                                      5,506,116
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,506,116
<CGS>                                        4,631,435
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,631,435
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               796,620
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,171
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,890
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,463
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,427
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,427
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .69