<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-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFRENCE TO SUC ANNUAL RPORT ON FORM 10-K. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996 <CASH> 73319 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 86009 <ALLOWANCES> 1170 <INVENTORY> 64869 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 227338 <PP&E> 70704 <DEPRECIATION> 1898 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 299940 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 111580 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 18 <OTHER-SE> 124216 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 299940 <SALES> 863285 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 863285 <CGS> 790311 <TOTAL-COSTS> 790311 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 27067 <LOSS-PROVISION> 501 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7333 <INCOME-PRETAX> 38073 <INCOME-TAX> 13724 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24349 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 24349 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.34 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.34