<ARTICLE>         5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains a summary of financial information extracted from
the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Condensed Consolidated Statement of
Earnings and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                          24,661
<SECURITIES>                                   180,504
<RECEIVABLES>                                   61,392
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,800
<INVENTORY>                                    646,176
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               988,724
<PP&E>                                         842,797
<DEPRECIATION>                                 347,823
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,607,275
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          424,487
<BONDS>                                        409,622
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           490
<OTHER-SE>                                     666,060
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,607,275
<SALES>                                        587,113
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               587,113
<CGS>                                          384,888
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  540,055
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   520
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,136
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,922
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,960
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,962
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,962
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.50