<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FEBRUARY 29, 1996 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-29-1996 <CASH> 259,497 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 1,169,068 <ALLOWANCES> 39,323 <INVENTORY> 880,593 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,497,671 <PP&E> 995,509 <DEPRECIATION> 378,986 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,642,504 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,301,513 <BONDS> 13,647 <COMMON> 2,854 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 300 <OTHER-SE> 2,283,265 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,642,504 <SALES> 4,549,287 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,549,287 <CGS> 2,745,344 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,745,344 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,112,706 <LOSS-PROVISION> 15,092 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 30,999 <INCOME-PRETAX> 645,146 <INCOME-TAX> 248,400 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 396,746 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 396,746 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.71 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.71