<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's SEC Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                           6,538
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  485,046
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,136
<INVENTORY>                                    735,550
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,274,314
<PP&E>                                       1,310,663
<DEPRECIATION>                                 592,163
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,526,924
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          552,686
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        63,291
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,005,719
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,526,924
<SALES>                                      2,624,304
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,624,304
<CGS>                                        1,987,930
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  461,913
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,001
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                146,460
<INCOME-TAX>                                    51,261
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             95,199
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    95,199
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.52