<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1997 <CASH> 2,658,394 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 3,205,109 <ALLOWANCES> 130,000 <INVENTORY> 8,283,515 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 14,309,043 <PP&E> 12,867,302 <DEPRECIATION> 8,584,607 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 18,836,149 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,138,132 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 52,587 <OTHER-SE> 13,006,527 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 18,836,149 <SALES> 17,571,892 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 17,571,892 <CGS> 15,327,695 <TOTAL-COSTS> 15,327,695 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (90,484) <LOSS-PROVISION> 130,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 99,002 <INCOME-PRETAX> 130,044 <INCOME-TAX> 48,988 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 81,056 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 81,056 <EPS-PRIMARY> .02 <EPS-DILUTED> .02