<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JULY 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> AUG-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUL-31-1998 <CASH> 1,393 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 50,563 <ALLOWANCES> 1,780 <INVENTORY> 91,119 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 146,209 <PP&E> 68,062 <DEPRECIATION> 23,628 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 212,242 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 80,641 <BONDS> 25,845 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 182 <OTHER-SE> 104,204 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 212,242 <SALES> 728,910 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 728,910 <CGS> 578,575 <TOTAL-COSTS> 578,575 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,462 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,157 <INCOME-PRETAX> 24,665 <INCOME-TAX> 11,580 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,085 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 13,085 <EPS-PRIMARY> $0.75 <EPS-DILUTED> $0.74