<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Form
10-Q For the Period Ending November 30, 1995 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1995
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  519,088
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    807,462
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,416,379
<PP&E>                                       1,374,264
<DEPRECIATION>                                 756,715
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,374,273
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,097,813
<BONDS>                                        506,283
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      2,454
<COMMON>                                       434,840
<OTHER-SE>                                     302,245
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,374,273
<SALES>                                      2,122,457
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,156,949
<CGS>                                        1,994,013
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,009,590
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,289
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 55,994
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,162
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             52,284
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    52,284
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0