<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997 <CASH> 2,731,609 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 3,524,145 <ALLOWANCES> 130,000 <INVENTORY> 6,371,885 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 13,176,718 <PP&E> 12,883,755 <DEPRECIATION> 8,683,848 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 17,417,431 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,046,173 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 52,613 <OTHER-SE> 12,744,895 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 17,417,431 <SALES> 26,470,200 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 26,470,200 <CGS> 23,462,472 <TOTAL-COSTS> 23,462,472 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (180,177) <LOSS-PROVISION> 130,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 186,495 <INCOME-PRETAX> (123,995) <INCOME-TAX> 138,420 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (262,415) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (262,415) <EPS-PRIMARY> .05 <EPS-DILUTED> .05