<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the company's
consolidated financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1996
<CASH>                                          18,817<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,857
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     65,065
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                91,845
<PP&E>                                          35,170
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 579,453
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           68,878
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            14
<OTHER-SE>                                     108,117
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   579,453
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               379,996
<CGS>                                          308,117
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  356,051
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,903
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,945
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,102
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,843
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,843
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .98
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .98
<FN>
<F1>Of this amount, $13,013 is restricted.
</FN>