<ARTICLE>         5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains a summary of financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Earnings and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.

<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-29-2000             JUL-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-29-2000             MAY-01-1999
<CASH>                                          54,025                  39,592
<SECURITIES>                                   333,823                 185,268
<RECEIVABLES>                                   75,494                  65,238
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,550                   1,703
<INVENTORY>                                    622,871                 587,629
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,135,322                 943,969
<PP&E>                                         959,639                 881,332
<DEPRECIATION>                                 435,348                 374,923
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,813,734               1,603,624
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          492,053                 428,956
<BONDS>                                        379,657                 319,634
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           480                     491
<OTHER-SE>                                     828,538                 742,972
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,813,734               1,603,624
<SALES>                                      2,262,240               1,988,026
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,262,240               1,988,026
<CGS>                                        1,464,862               1,327,058
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,038,333               1,815,770
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,135                   1,211
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,827                  19,185
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                206,080                 153,071
<INCOME-TAX>                                    78,310                  59,698
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            123,879                  92,617
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   123,879                  92,617
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.54                    1.88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.53                    1.88