<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                          46,632
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  680,701
<ALLOWANCES>                                    29,745
<INVENTORY>                                    858,980
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,641,533
<PP&E>                                       1,269,483
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,939,996
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          808,604
<BONDS>                                        618,965
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       209,765
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,171,075
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,939,996
<SALES>                                      2,487,499
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,487,499
<CGS>                                        1,669,543
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,300,314
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,286
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                165,899
<INCOME-TAX>                                    64,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            101,499
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   101,499
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.68<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.68<F1>
<FN>
<F1>On May 19, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved a two for one stock
split effective June 30, 1998 to shareholders of record on June 8, 1998.
Prior Financial Data Schedules have not been restated for the stock split.
</FN>