<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