<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000 <PERIOD-END> FEB-29-2000 <CASH> 642 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 15,097 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 86,659 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 102,384 <PP&E> 169,763 <DEPRECIATION> 62,824 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 225,148 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 123,477 <BONDS> 10,495 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 18,483 <COMMON> 121 <OTHER-SE> 100,522 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 225,148 <SALES> 132,175 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 132,289 <CGS> 42,803 <TOTAL-COSTS> 42,803 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,831 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,592 <INCOME-PRETAX> 22,174 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 22,174 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 22,174 <EPS-BASIC> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0