WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  



                                                                      EXHIBIT 27
                             FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE

                                                                      "RESTATED"
<ARTICLE>                                                5                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                         1,000                 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     3-MONTHS              3-MONTHS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              MAY-31-1999           MAY-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   AUG-31-1998           AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                               1,070                 1,384
<SECURITIES>                                             0                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      120,245               125,995
<ALLOWANCES>                                         9,573                 8,903
<INVENTORY>                                        259,051               263,228
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   452,709               452,509
<PP&E>                                             196,150               178,602
<DEPRECIATION>                                      56,684                46,435
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     850,561               841,551
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              220,599               200,137
<BONDS>                                            234,757               234,712
<COMMON>                                               176                   175
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0                     0
<PREFERRED>                                              0                     0
<OTHER-SE>                                         301,605               282,290
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       850,561               841,551
<SALES>                                            150,192               166,602
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   150,192               166,602
<COST OF GOODS SOLD>                                85,230                96,043
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      168,661               177,828
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     5,325                 5,006
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     2,837                 2,883
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   4,465                 5,049
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     28,259                21,281
<INCOME-TAX>                                        10,738                 8,087
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 17,521                13,194
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0                     0
<CHANGES>                                                0                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                        17,521                13,194
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         1.08                  0.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         1.08                  0.81


                                      E-2