<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS, CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL
QUARTER ENDING AUGUST 3, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> 0.7242
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-03-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                 0.7242
<CASH>                                         295,803
<SECURITIES>                                    58,158
<RECEIVABLES>                                  425,065
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,379
<INVENTORY>                                    191,495
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,007,427
<PP&E>                                         671,874
<DEPRECIATION>                                 352,215
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,579,864
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          277,943
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       412,069
<OTHER-SE>                                     829,398
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,579,864
<SALES>                                        434,738
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               434,738
<CGS>                                          160,730
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  344,270
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,185
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 284
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 91,021
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,034
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             64,354
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    64,354
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.36