<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the May 31, 1998 Form 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1998 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 611,794 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 668,105 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,446,987 <PP&E> 1,638,137 <DEPRECIATION> 848,725 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,715,727 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,108,419 <BONDS> 604,613 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 100,071 <COMMON> 466,422 <OTHER-SE> 350,108 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,715,727 <SALES> 6,539,635 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 6,650,223 <CGS> 6,243,829 <TOTAL-COSTS> 6,292,566 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 53,506 <INCOME-PRETAX> 23,531 <INCOME-TAX> 2,055 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 55,303 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 55,303 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0