<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the February
28, 1999 Form 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  611,874
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    852,174
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,663,023
<PP&E>                                       1,719,030
<DEPRECIATION>                                 887,260
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,993,499
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,222,052
<BONDS>                                        786,869
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,070
<COMMON>                                       504,382
<OTHER-SE>                                     303,224
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,993,499
<SALES>                                      4,147,960
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,073,898
<CGS>                                        3,963,460
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,852,035
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              39,672
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (36,731)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,104
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,294)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,294)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0