<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, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                           21497
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   443404
<ALLOWANCES>                                      4328
<INVENTORY>                                     685296
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               1198497
<PP&E>                                         1377400
<DEPRECIATION>                                  651430
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2365480
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           648700
<BONDS>                                         702740
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         63421
<OTHER-SE>                                      873584
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2365480
<SALES>                                         889473
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                889473
<CGS>                                           671065
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   158669
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   576
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                9806
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  49357
<INCOME-TAX>                                     16790
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              32567
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     32567
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52