<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1994
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1000   
       
                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    YEAR      
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         AUG-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                              AUG-31-1994 
<CASH>                                         53,816       
<SECURITIES>                                        0  
<RECEIVABLES>                                 283,373        
<ALLOWANCES>                                    5,691      
<INVENTORY>                                   558,568        
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              912,843        
<PP&E>                                        830,660        
<DEPRECIATION>                                386,494        
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1,577,406          
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         425,295        
<BONDS>                                             0  
<COMMON>                                       59,354       
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0  
<PREFERRED>                                         0  
<OTHER-SE>                                    739,617        
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                1,577,406         
<SALES>                                     2,229,474          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            2,229,474          
<CGS>                                       1,571,256          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 468,511        
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0  
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0  
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             11,661       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               178,046        
<INCOME-TAX>                                   56,975       
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           121,071        
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0 
<CHANGES>                                       2,583      
<NET-INCOME>                                  123,654        
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    2.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    2.10