<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 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-28-2001
<PERIOD-START> APR-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-29-2000
<CASH> 45,759
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 270,769
<ALLOWANCES> (11,169)
<INVENTORY> 153,239
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 568,022
<PP&E> 360,979
<DEPRECIATION> (155,249)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,717,921
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 413,625
<BONDS> 1,051,329
0
0
<COMMON> 37
<OTHER-SE> 224,303
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,717,921
<SALES> 545,771
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 545,771
<CGS> 402,283
<TOTAL-COSTS> 150,561<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 20,537<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 573
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 29,785
<INCOME-PRETAX> (57,968)
<INCOME-TAX> (12,853)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (45,115)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.22)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.22)
<FN>
<F1>Includes $2,795 of operating restructuring costs.
<F2>Includes $19,668 of foreign currency transaction loss.
</FN>
</TABLE>