<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the company's
consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended November 30, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1998
<CASH>                                          52,108<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,622
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     95,280
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          54,054
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 513,282
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            14
<OTHER-SE>                                     123,575
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   513,282
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               120,086
<CGS>                                           98,591
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  112,782
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,691
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,304
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,555
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,866
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,866
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .20
<FN>
<F1>Of this amount, $16,378 is restricted.
</FN>