<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the company's
consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended November 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                          21,193<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,559
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     69,355
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                95,673
<PP&E>                                          36,490
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 590,254
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,499
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            14
<OTHER-SE>                                     113,951
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   590,254
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               140,895
<CGS>                                          117,800
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  136,212
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,457
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,683
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,763
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,920
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,920
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .21
<FN>
<F1>Of this amount, $6,773 is restricted.
</FN>