<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-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 148000 <ALLOWANCES> 5300 <INVENTORY> 96000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 270500 <PP&E> 292600 <DEPRECIATION> 151500 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 466700 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 150200 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1700 <OTHER-SE> 197100 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 466700 <SALES> 438000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 438000 <CGS> 221300 <TOTAL-COSTS> 221300 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 162300 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4100 <INCOME-PRETAX> 51600 <INCOME-TAX> 20100 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 31500 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 31500 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.76 <EPS-DILUTED> 0