<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1997 <CASH> 1,766,274 <SECURITIES> 978,463 <RECEIVABLES> 2,250,168 <ALLOWANCES> 130,000 <INVENTORY> 7,889,949 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 13,636,227 <PP&E> 12,923,242 <DEPRECIATION> 8,765,160 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 18,225,900 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,693,112 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 53,038 <OTHER-SE> 12,830,392 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 18,225,900 <SALES> 33,634,248 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 33,634,248 <CGS> 29,927,909 <TOTAL-COSTS> 29,927,909 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (200,738) <LOSS-PROVISION> 130,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 275,057 <INCOME-PRETAX> (484,378) <INCOME-TAX> (7,623) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (476,755) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (476,755) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.09) <EPS-DILUTED> (.09)