<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-K ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                           8,819
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  303,014
<ALLOWANCES>                                    14,476
<INVENTORY>                                  1,631,974
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,019,038
<PP&E>                                       1,448,368
<DEPRECIATION>                                 659,169
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,633,646
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,181,955
<BONDS>                                         10,114
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        76,919
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,966,186
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,633,646
<SALES>                                     11,778,408
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            11,778,408
<CGS>                                        8,514,819
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                8,514,819
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             2,659,525
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,035
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,225
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                606,937
<INCOME-TAX>                                   235,188
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            371,749
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   371,749
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.50