<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This scedule contains financial information extracted from the company's SEC
Form 10-Q for the six month period ended February 28, 1995 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1995
<CASH>                                           7,832
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  355,315
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,575
<INVENTORY>                                    655,867
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,047,144
<PP&E>                                         914,230
<DEPRECIATION>                                 419,427
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,866,197
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          424,708
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        59,781
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     768,435
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,866,197
<SALES>                                      1,248,747
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,248,747
<CGS>                                          886,587
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  886,587
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               261,710
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,727
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 90,723
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,938
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             60,785
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    60,785
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.02