<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> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 76800 <ALLOWANCES> 7300 <INVENTORY> 184500 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 297300 <PP&E> 392100 <DEPRECIATION> 154300 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 590800 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 233100 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 3500 <OTHER-SE> 207900 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 590800 <SALES> 478300 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 502200 <CGS> 275200 <TOTAL-COSTS> 275200 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 202700 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9500 <INCOME-PRETAX> 15200 <INCOME-TAX> 4900 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 10300 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 10300 <EPS-PRIMARY> .30 <EPS-DILUTED> .28