<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED FEBRUARY
28, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                           1,543
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   84,474
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    117,909
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               205,916
<PP&E>                                          77,686
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 388,758
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           31,604
<BONDS>                                         11,525
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           433
<OTHER-SE>                                     341,940
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   388,758
<SALES>                                        204,821
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               204,821
<CGS>                                          130,089
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   47,337
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 468
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,339
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,709
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,630
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,630
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0