<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FROM THE COMPANY'S REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MAY 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-29-1998 <PERIOD-START> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAY-30-1998 <CASH> 2,875 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 41,249 <ALLOWANCES> (3,213) <INVENTORY> 12,325 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 59,149 <PP&E> 40,363 <DEPRECIATION> (4,720) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 211,919 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 27,115 <BONDS> 131,600 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 5 <COMMON> 4 <OTHER-SE> 42,897 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 211,919 <SALES> 125,617 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 125,617 <CGS> 57,124 <TOTAL-COSTS> 57,124 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 54,009 <LOSS-PROVISION> 531 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,131 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,353 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,353 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,353 <EPS-PRIMARY> 6.54 <EPS-DILUTED> 6.54