<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-1996
<CASH>                                          38,924
<SECURITIES>                                    36,429
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,659
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     62,985
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               179,028
<PP&E>                                          64,520
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,158
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 265,183
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,895
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            31
<OTHER-SE>                                     329,686
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   265,183
<SALES>                                         47,624
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                51,775
<CGS>                                           31,269
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,269
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (31,762)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (31,762)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (31,762)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.47)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.47)