<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                          22,9197<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   38,792
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     90,571
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               113,291
<PP&E>                                          39,816
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 602,817
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           70,793
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            14
<OTHER-SE>                                     115,002
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   602,817
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               351,952
<CGS>                                          285,271
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  342,425
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,242
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,527
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,650
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,877
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,877
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .42
<FN>
<F1>Of this amount, $18,170 is restricted.
</FN>