<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1997 <CASH> 79,782,521 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 717,098,890 <ALLOWANCES> 24,822,246 <INVENTORY> 539,435,168 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,373,991,807 <PP&E> 1,531,829,253 <DEPRECIATION> 676,198,620 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,640,066,555 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,145,015,973 <BONDS> 468,590,043 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 1,023,148,230 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,640,066,555 <SALES> 2,361,710,927 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,387,471,566 <CGS> 2,314,404,203 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 490,228 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,687,118 <INCOME-PRETAX> 29,134,592 <INCOME-TAX> 2,940,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 26,194,592 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 26,194,592 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0