<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. EARNINGS
PER SHARE ARE IN CONFORMITY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SFAS 128, EARNINGS PER
SHARE.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-02-1998
<CASH>                                          14,676
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   88,089
<ALLOWANCES>                                    13,675
<INVENTORY>                                    619,196
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               776,824
<PP&E>                                       1,247,426
<DEPRECIATION>                                 286,410
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,164,366
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          352,188
<BONDS>                                        771,841
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           637
<OTHER-SE>                                     883,527
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,164,366
<SALES>                                        582,885
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               582,885
<CGS>                                          417,021
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  551,415
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,852
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,618
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,919
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,699
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                        5,314
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,385
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .06<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .06<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Represents basic earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No 128, earnings
per share.
<F2>Represents diluted earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No 128, earnings
per share.
</FN>