<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Form 10-Q
for the 2nd quarter ending February 28, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  571,011
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    828,016
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,491,812
<PP&E>                                       1,555,891
<DEPRECIATION>                                 815,007
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,650,942
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,172,567
<BONDS>                                        633,260
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      1,262
<COMMON>                                       468,113
<OTHER-SE>                                     316,311
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,650,942
<SALES>                                      4,468,846
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,523,002
<CGS>                                        4,281,732
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,309,445
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,406
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,615
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,912
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,434
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,434
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0