<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>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                         520,127
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   95,702
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,060,788
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,710,277
<PP&E>                                         581,572
<DEPRECIATION>                                 248,648
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,056,346
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,033,676
<BONDS>                                        210,397
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,463
<OTHER-SE>                                     553,283
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,056,346
<SALES>                                      8,358,212
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             8,358,212
<CGS>                                        7,026,074
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,026,074
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,145,280
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              33,005
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                153,853
<INCOME-TAX>                                    59,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             94,453
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    94,453
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.04