<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> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1998 <CASH> 1,343 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 82,761 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 76,621 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 165,261 <PP&E> 90,341 <DEPRECIATION> 24,210 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 241,737 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 121,465 <BONDS> 36,114 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 80 <COMMON> 3,800 <OTHER-SE> 74,521 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 241,737 <SALES> 77,245 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 77,245 <CGS> 50,098 <TOTAL-COSTS> 50,098 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 10,827 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 895 <INCOME-PRETAX> 15,525 <INCOME-TAX> 5,744 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,757 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 9,757 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.26 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.24