<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JULY 31,
1998 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                         179,261
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  562,753
<ALLOWANCES>                                    67,285
<INVENTORY>                                    478,467
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,179,916
<PP&E>                                         228,348
<DEPRECIATION>                                  65,464
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,445,929
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          208,421
<BONDS>                                        480,275
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           380
<OTHER-SE>                                     647,681
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,445,929
<SALES>                                      1,313,710
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,313,710
<CGS>                                          681,908
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  681,908
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                66,066
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,039
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                110,299
<INCOME-TAX>                                    41,362
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             68,937
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    68,937
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.84