<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> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1997 <CASH> 28100 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 73900 <ALLOWANCES> 4300 <INVENTORY> 152900 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 265900 <PP&E> 281100 <DEPRECIATION> 150200 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 452300 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 150100 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1700 <OTHER-SE> 186100 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 452300 <SALES> 259400 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 259400 <CGS> 132300 <TOTAL-COSTS> 132300 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 95000 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2400 <INCOME-PRETAX> 30200 <INCOME-TAX> 11800 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18400 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18400 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.03 <EPS-DILUTED> 0