<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FILED
AS PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY 
B REFRENCE TO SUCH ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1996
<CASH>                                           28004
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    99725
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1019
<INVENTORY>                                      59390
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                190057
<PP&E>                                          124392
<DEPRECIATION>                                   52501
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  263465
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            80478
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            18
<OTHER-SE>                                      117221
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    263465
<SALES>                                         219701
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                219701
<CGS>                                           201142
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   201142
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  6838
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   350
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1768
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   9603
<INCOME-TAX>                                      3366
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               6237
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      6237
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .33