<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1998 NOV-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998 AUG-31-1997 <CASH> 10,149 22,502 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 138,079 112,336 <ALLOWANCES> 0 0 <INVENTORY> 145,166 106,683 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 284,271 256,401 <PP&E> 160,773 126,430 <DEPRECIATION> 0 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 507,448 447,019 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 107,448 94,240 <BONDS> 0 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 13,007 12,944 <OTHER-SE> 0 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 507,448 447,019 <SALES> 395,207 386,109 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 395,207 386,109 <CGS> 296,537 284,728 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 80,920 80,107 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,467 9,141 <INCOME-PRETAX> 14,966 20,397 <INCOME-TAX> 5,238 7,139 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,728 13,258 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 9,728 13,258 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.42 3.31 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.37 3.25