<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary Financial information extracted from the November
30, 1999 Form 10Q and is  qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1999
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  728,582
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    764,295
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,700,591
<PP&E>                                       1,764,148
<DEPRECIATION>                                 930,600
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,170,884
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,332,742
<BONDS>                                        797,200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,048
<COMMON>                                       525,703
<OTHER-SE>                                     264,612
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,170,884
<SALES>                                      2,835,118
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,984,465
<CGS>                                        2,719,754
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,860,648
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,535
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (28,510)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,022
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (26,542)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (26,542)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0