<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> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1998 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 158,700 <ALLOWANCES> 6,400 <INVENTORY> 142,400 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 342,500 <PP&E> 375,500 <DEPRECIATION> 160,100 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 614,800 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 244,600 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 3,500 <OTHER-SE> 224,400 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 614,800 <SALES> 496,500 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 496,500 <CGS> 264,800 <TOTAL-COSTS> 264,800 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 191,300 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,200 <INCOME-PRETAX> 36,300 <INCOME-TAX> 11,500 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,800 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 24,800 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.72 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.68