<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-27-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-29-1998
<CASH>                                         491,632
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  140,714
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,167,966
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,870,840
<PP&E>                                         608,331
<DEPRECIATION>                                 280,137
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,208,933
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,281,569
<BONDS>                                         35,295
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,077
<OTHER-SE>                                     855,328
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,208,933
<SALES>                                      4,125,788
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,125,788
<CGS>                                        3,361,220
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,361,220
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               663,708
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,505
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 97,355
<INCOME-TAX>                                    37,495
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             59,860
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    59,860
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .58