<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 621,254 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 634,906 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,333,453 <PP&E> 1,583,024 <DEPRECIATION> 818,856 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,523,854 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,072,463 <BONDS> 533,822 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 1,261 <COMMON> 468,323 <OTHER-SE> 375,735 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,523,854 <SALES> 6,871,142 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 6,942,766 <CGS> 6,513,131 <TOTAL-COSTS> 6,558,793 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 46,686 <INCOME-PRETAX> 70,861 <INCOME-TAX> 9,252 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 90,026 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 90,026 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0