<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER
31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-2001
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-2000
<CASH> 24,205
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 82,370
<ALLOWANCES> 5,355
<INVENTORY> 161,645
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 299,896
<PP&E> 225,576
<DEPRECIATION> 94,350
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 554,220
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 143,470
<BONDS> 427,324
231,354
0
<COMMON> 303
<OTHER-SE> (314,296)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 554,220
<SALES> 590,754
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 590,754
<CGS> 346,582
<TOTAL-COSTS> 346,582
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,483
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 37,058
<INCOME-PRETAX> 10,461
<INCOME-TAX> 8,883
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (833)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (833)<F1>
<EPS-BASIC> (1.27)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.27)
<FN>
<F1>Net income (loss) is shown before redeemable preferred stock dividends and
accretion of preferred stock discount of $24,229.
</FN>
</TABLE>