<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the company's October 31, 1995 Quarterly Report Form 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1995 <CASH> 39,242 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 324,873<F1> <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 414,823 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 797,464 <PP&E> 557,133 <DEPRECIATION> 294,916 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,399,690 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 309,036 <BONDS> 273,330 <COMMON> 585,277 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 11,779 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,399,690 <SALES> 928,676 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 928,676 <CGS> 476,690<F2> <TOTAL-COSTS> 476,690<F2> <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,664 <INCOME-PRETAX> 137,782 <INCOME-TAX> 52,437 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 85,345 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 85,345 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.23 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.23 <FN> <F1>Accounts receivable is shown net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Allowance for doubtful accounts has not changed materially from the April 30, 1995 balance. <F2>Cost of goods sold and total costs include excise taxes of $134.680 million. </FN>