<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1997 <CASH> 4,346 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 176,685 <ALLOWANCES> 8,375 <INVENTORY> 250,835 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 481,600 <PP&E> 183,230 <DEPRECIATION> 48,895 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 873,464 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 223,088 <BONDS> 234,727 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 175 <OTHER-SE> 309,611 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 873,464 <SALES> 521,437 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 521,437 <CGS> 271,589 <TOTAL-COSTS> 479,475 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 10,578 <LOSS-PROVISION> 6,354 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,697 <INCOME-PRETAX> 20,687 <INCOME-TAX> 7,860 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,827 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 12,827 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.79 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.79