<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INCLUDED
IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-29-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-25-1999
<PERIOD-END> APR-29-2000
<CASH> 39,711
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 271,053
<ALLOWANCES> (11,766)
<INVENTORY> 155,206
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 543,388
<PP&E> 308,858
<DEPRECIATION> (97,955)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,745,666
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 376,043
<BONDS> 1,055,069
0
0
<COMMON> 37
<OTHER-SE> 286,005
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,745,666
<SALES> 2,499,393
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,499,393
<CGS> 1,826,876
<TOTAL-COSTS> 684,787<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 95,768<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 9,763
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 113,375
<INCOME-PRETAX> (231,176)
<INCOME-TAX> (28,304)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (202,872)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 9,108
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (193,764)
<EPS-BASIC> (5.26)
<EPS-DILUTED> (5.26)
<FN>
<F1>Includes $17,429 of impaired asset write-offs and $15,376 of operating
restructuring costs.
<F2>Includes $15,032 of loss on sale and closure of businesses, $32,564 of
equity in loss of affiliates and $49,044 of unrealized foreign currency
transaction loss.
</FN>
</TABLE>
