<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's SEC Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 30, 1995 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1995
<CASH>                                            4666
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   382207
<ALLOWANCES>                                      6477
<INVENTORY>                                     713623
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               1127823
<PP&E>                                         1040925
<DEPRECIATION>                                  480412
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2048889
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           478298
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         61430
<OTHER-SE>                                      880484
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2048889
<SALES>                                         704423
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                704423
<CGS>                                           513946
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   132399
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                7666
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  50412
<INCOME-TAX>                                     17212
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              33200
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     33200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .54