<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the August 31,
1999 Form 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  794,237
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    840,504
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,838,069
<PP&E>                                       1,744,252
<DEPRECIATION>                                 911,049
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,257,649
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,387,630
<BONDS>                                        808,413
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,069
<COMMON>                                       508,029
<OTHER-SE>                                     309,229
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,257,649
<SALES>                                     10,508,096
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            10,709,073
<CGS>                                       10,081,617
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               10,231,081
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              90,773
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (41,961)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (8,043)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,865
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,865
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0