<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ending August 31, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by 
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1998
<CASH>                                           7,334
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  596,415
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    725,967
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,474,867
<PP&E>                                       1,680,373
<DEPRECIATION>                                 853,224
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,812,774
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,101,229
<BONDS>                                        728,103
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,071
<COMMON>                                       451,804
<OTHER-SE>                                     360,821
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,812,774
<SALES>                                      8,617,942
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             8,775,046
<CGS>                                        8,245,728
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                8,299,505
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              73,645
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,598
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,912
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             58,770
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    58,770
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0