<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                         112,948
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,723,710
<ALLOWANCES>                                   130,000
<INVENTORY>                                  8,737,149
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            13,467,923
<PP&E>                                      13,080,881
<DEPRECIATION>                               8,858,705
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              18,118,398
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,768,483
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        53,038
<OTHER-SE>                                  12,648,141
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                18,118,398
<SALES>                                      7,792,006
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             7,792,006
<CGS>                                        6,702,763
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                6,702,763
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (30,806)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               130,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             112,799
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (264,512)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (82,261)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (182,251)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (182,251)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.03)