<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JULY 31, 1996 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUL-31-1996 <CASH> 50,046 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 471,279 <ALLOWANCES> 51,402 <INVENTORY> 457,862 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 953,320 <PP&E> 128,400 <DEPRECIATION> 20,146 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,163,811 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 177,820 <BONDS> 404,328 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 352 <OTHER-SE> 475,906 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,163,811 <SALES> 1,137,377 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,137,377 <CGS> 576,764 <TOTAL-COSTS> 576,764 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 53,508 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 30,102 <INCOME-PRETAX> 70,088 <INCOME-TAX> 25,094 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 44,994 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (1,096) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 43,898 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.20 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.20