<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE NOVEMBER 30, 1996 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996 <CASH> 267,534 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 1,572,426 <ALLOWANCES> 50,071 <INVENTORY> 981,080 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,070,956 <PP&E> 1,200,747 <DEPRECIATION> 442,990 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,421,155 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,465,542 <BONDS> 98,970 <COMMON> 2,856 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 300 <OTHER-SE> 2,816,853 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,421,155 <SALES> 4,388,960 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,388,960 <CGS> 2,639,747 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,639,747 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,056,607 <LOSS-PROVISION> 11,877 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 22,894 <INCOME-PRETAX> 657,835 <INCOME-TAX> 254,900 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 402,935 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 402,935 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.36 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.36