<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1999 NOV-30-1998 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1999 AUG-31-1998 <CASH> 9,675 10,149 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 128,261 138,079 <ALLOWANCES> 0 0 <INVENTORY> 98,681 124,166 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 252,832 284,271 <PP&E> 151,900 160,773 <DEPRECIATION> 0 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 472,697 507,448 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 117,938 107,448 <BONDS> 0 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 13,007 13,007 <OTHER-SE> 160,038 141,175 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 472,697 507,448 <SALES> 411,162 395,207 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 411,162 395,207 <CGS> 302,635 296,537 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 86,003 79,117 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,524 11,467 <INCOME-PRETAX> 22,074 14,966 <INCOME-TAX> 7,064 5,238 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 15,010 9,728 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 15,010 9,728 <EPS-BASIC> 3.75 2.42 <EPS-DILUTED> 3.74 2.37