<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-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-28-2001
<PERIOD-START> APR-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-28-2000
<CASH> 34,329
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 230,798
<ALLOWANCES> (9,494)
<INVENTORY> 115,704
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 471,359
<PP&E> 320,660
<DEPRECIATION> (141,417)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,376,605
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 541,468
<BONDS> 781,790
0
0
<COMMON> 37
<OTHER-SE> 24,568
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,376,605
<SALES> 533,283
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 533,283
<CGS> 397,023
<TOTAL-COSTS> 176,927<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 186,828<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 948
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 29,391
<INCOME-PRETAX> (257,834)
<INCOME-TAX> 3,522
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (261,356)
<EPS-BASIC> (6.98)
<EPS-DILUTED> (6.98)
<FN>
<F1>Includes $30,245 of impaired asset write-offs and $2,349 of operating
restructuring costs.
<F2>Includes $143,290 of loss on sale or clsoure of businesses and $45,074 of
unrealized foreign currency losses.
</FN>
</TABLE>