<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>