<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>