<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE INTERIM
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1998 AND
THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF APRIL 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<CASH>                                           2,308
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,475
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,092
<INVENTORY>                                     90,345
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               147,447
<PP&E>                                          65,252
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,765
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 212,280
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          100,460
<BONDS>                                         28,453
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           174
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,515
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   212,280
<SALES>                                        538,940
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               538,940
<CGS>                                          429,062
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  429,062
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,388
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,668
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,164
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,513
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,651
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,651
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.49