<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Form 10-Q for
the period ending February 29, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by refeence
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-1996
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  553,670
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,011,892
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,646,851
<PP&E>                                       1,431,182
<DEPRECIATION>                                 770,345
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,665,828
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,343,394
<BONDS>                                        540,084
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      2,454
<COMMON>                                       434,889
<OTHER-SE>                                     314,822
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,665,828
<SALES>                                      4,291,803
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,356,078
<CGS>                                        4,073,981
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,102,967
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,594
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 58,781
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,767
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             65,137
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    65,137
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0