<ARTICLE>                     5

<LEGEND>

Exhibit 27

THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000


                                               
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                           3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 FEB-28-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                      MAY-31-1999
<CASH>                                                 20,649
<SECURITIES>                                          192,184 <F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                         298,559
<ALLOWANCES>                                           46,354
<INVENTORY>                                           396,845
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    1,120,513
<PP&E>                                                491,705
<DEPRECIATION>                                        170,993
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      1,742,346
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 634,794
<BONDS>                                               536,766
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                              119,722
<OTHER-SE>                                            410,935
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        1,742,346
<SALES>                                               618,492
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      689,203
<CGS>                                                 400,229
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         400,229
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       23,872
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     19,733
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                       (99,641)
<INCOME-TAX>                                          (29,101)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                   (70,540)
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                          (70,540)
<EPS-BASIC>                                           (1.18) <F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           (1.18)



<FN>
<F1> Represents retained interest in securitized receivables
<F2> Represents basic earnings per share
</FN>