<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ending August 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety 
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  624,002
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    736,620
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,462,370
<PP&E>                                       1,506,460
<DEPRECIATION>                                 789,236
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,568,446
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,140,320
<BONDS>                                        616,258
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      1,264
<COMMON>                                       414,503
<OTHER-SE>                                     339,564
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,568,446
<SALES>                                      9,651,297
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             9,788,587
<CGS>                                        9,213,952
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                9,272,002
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              62,445
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                114,464
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,755
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            126,418
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   126,418
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0