<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1999
<CASH>                                          56,142
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  739,048
<ALLOWANCES>                                    23,676
<INVENTORY>                                    673,647
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,491,590
<PP&E>                                       1,782,607
<DEPRECIATION>                                 803,792
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,007,047
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,228,307
<BONDS>                                        706,176
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,122,277
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,007,047
<SALES>                                      2,018,758
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,044,996
<CGS>                                        1,984,813
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   421
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,956
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,398
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,721)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,119
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,119
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0