<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Consolidated Statement of Operations and the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1996 <CASH> 1700 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 143200 <ALLOWANCES> 4200 <INVENTORY> 69200 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 220600 <PP&E> 252500 <DEPRECIATION> 144900 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 380400 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 108000 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1700 <OTHER-SE> 168200 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 380400 <SALES> 367400 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 367400 <CGS> 192000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 192000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 139800 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5800 <INCOME-PRETAX> 29800 <INCOME-TAX> 11600 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18200 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18200 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.12 <EPS-DILUTED> 0