<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         266,800
<SECURITIES>                                     7,800
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,249,700
<ALLOWANCES>                                    65,700
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<PP&E>                                         750,900
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<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,532,300
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<BONDS>                                        442,100
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<CGS>                                        8,181,400
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.17
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