<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the company's
consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended February 28, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                          11,627<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,699
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     58,734
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               102,520
<PP&E>                                          38,356
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 600,380
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,352
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            14
<OTHER-SE>                                     115,143
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   600,380
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               255,151
<CGS>                                          208,471
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  246,886
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,074
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,265
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,168
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,097
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,097
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .36
<FN>
<F1>Of this amount, $6,459 is restricted.
</FN>