<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's SEC Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended February 28, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                            3808
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   431881
<ALLOWANCES>                                      4897
<INVENTORY>                                     747012
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               1237914
<PP&E>                                         1270411
<DEPRECIATION>                                  575747
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2466820
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           497586
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         62702
<OTHER-SE>                                      983983
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2466820
<SALES>                                        1693127
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1693127
<CGS>                                          1280394
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   301062
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               16721
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  94950
<INCOME-TAX>                                     33232
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              61718
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     61718
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .99