<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