<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF APRIL 30, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                           5,686
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  188,835
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,610
<INVENTORY>                                    389,592
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               598,976
<PP&E>                                         102,991
<DEPRECIATION>                                  63,751
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 758,643
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          390,547
<BONDS>                                          5,946
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          194,518
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            43
<OTHER-SE>                                     166,928
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   758,643
<SALES>                                      1,849,365
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,178,566
<CGS>                                        1,665,212
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,864,602
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               (7,780)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,061
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 54,903
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,765
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,138
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,994
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.69