<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Consolidated Statement of Operations and the Consolidated Balance Sheets qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1997 <CASH> 13100 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 34700 <ALLOWANCES> 5600 <INVENTORY> 310200 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 412100 <PP&E> 334400 <DEPRECIATION> 158000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 644900 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 301800 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 3500 <OTHER-SE> 202500 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 644900 <SALES> 62800 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 62800 <CGS> 34100 <TOTAL-COSTS> 34100 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 23000 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2100 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4400 <INCOME-TAX> 1700 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2700 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2700 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.08 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.08<F1> <FN> <F1>The Company declared a two-for-one stock split to holders of record July 25, 1997 with shares being distributed on August 8, 1997; thus, earnings per share and all other share amounts have been restated. </FN>