<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the company's
consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended February 28, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statments.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                          50,411<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   68,291
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     62,842
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          46,195
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 507,605
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            14
<OTHER-SE>                                     111,021
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   507,605
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               265,002
<CGS>                                          221,437
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  250,253
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,275
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,749
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,313
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,436
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,436
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.59
<FN>
<F1>Of this amount, $15,122 is restricted.
</FN>