<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULES SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998 <CASH> 90,986 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 16,552 <ALLOWANCES> (2,032) <INVENTORY> 52,261 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 167,977 <PP&E> 113,421 <DEPRECIATION> (57,103) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 304,629 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 74,341 <BONDS> 108,948 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 38,620 <OTHER-SE> 66,172 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 304,629 <SALES> 322,121 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 322,121 <CGS> 252,351 <TOTAL-COSTS> 309,311 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (403) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,610 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,603 <INCOME-TAX> 1,611 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,992 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,992 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.07 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.07