<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>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                          19,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,400
<INVENTORY>                                    227,900
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               343,500
<PP&E>                                         355,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                 158,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 598,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          237,800
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     219,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   598,200
<SALES>                                        276,600
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               276,600
<CGS>                                          140,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  140,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                33,500
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.61<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>