<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 INCLUDED IN FORM S-4. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1.0 <CASH> 228,830 <SECURITIES> 181,520 <RECEIVABLES> 344,192 <ALLOWANCES> 2,992 <INVENTORY> 368,862 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,144,724 <PP&E> 466,797 <DEPRECIATION> 217,227 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,452,198 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 358,369 <BONDS> 386,927 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 378,319 <OTHER-SE> 1,697 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,452,198 <SALES> 2,817,191 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,817,191 <CGS> 2,534,813 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,534,813 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 106,953 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 15,650 <INCOME-PRETAX> 173,077 <INCOME-TAX> 58,845 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 114,232 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.19 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.17