<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 3RD
QUARTER FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 4/30/97 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997
<CASH>                                           4,995
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  177,735
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,145
<INVENTORY>                                    317,798
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               509,216
<PP&E>                                          92,040
<DEPRECIATION>                                  61,853
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 660,214
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          296,214
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            43
<OTHER-SE>                                     123,833
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   660,214
<SALES>                                      1,391,709
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,630,365
<CGS>                                        1,253,302
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,394,294
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               176,725
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               (7,790)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,406
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 48,871
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,594
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,361
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,361
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.65