<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from SEC Form
10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1995             AUG-31-1996             AUG-31-1995             AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1995             MAY-31-1996             MAY-31-1995             MAY-31-1996
<CASH>                                           5,745                   5,992                   5,745                   5,992
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,571                  81,129                  23,571                  81,129
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0                       0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     18,951                  36,403                  18,951                  36,403
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                50,035                 126,264                  50,035                 126,264
<PP&E>                                          52,899                  69,619                  52,899                  69,619
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,165                  19,191                  16,165                  19,191 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  96,769                 190,922                  96,769                 190,922
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,371                  97,603                  43,371                  97,603
<BONDS>                                            810                  16,677                     810                  16,677
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                      45                       0                      45
<COMMON>                                         2,085                   2,096                   2,085                   2,096
<OTHER-SE>                                      49,048                  70,775                  49,048                  70,775
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    96,769                 190,922                  96,769                 190,922
<SALES>                                         97,533                 151,379                  49,189                  83,061
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                97,533                 151,379                  49,189                  83,061
<CGS>                                           51,962                  93,026                  26,245                  51,915
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   51,962                  93,026                  26,245                  51,915
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                21,003                  25,720                   8,091                   9,828 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,021                   1,601                     641                     663
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,023                  31,572                  14,260                  20,865
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,699                  11,530                   4,984                   7,499
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,324                  20,017                   9,276                  13,353
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,324                  20,017                   9,276                  13,353
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.68                    0.92                    0.44                    0.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                    0.91                       0                    0.59