<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                          19,239
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  676,252
<ALLOWANCES>                                    27,450
<INVENTORY>                                  1,134,212
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,878,791
<PP&E>                                       1,229,354
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,126,308
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,211,936
<BONDS>                                        320,701
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       200,241
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,283,788
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,126,308
<SALES>                                      3,396,876
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,396,876
<CGS>                                        2,294,946
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,187,196
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,572
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                209,680
<INCOME-TAX>                                    82,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            127,080
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   127,080
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.64