<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1998
<CASH>                                         259,503
<SECURITIES>                                    11,088
<RECEIVABLES>                                6,211,863
<ALLOWANCES>                                   190,000
<INVENTORY>                                  9,271,496
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            15,958,620
<PP&E>                                      16,259,192
<DEPRECIATION>                               9,237,729
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              23,016,785
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        7,695,704
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        53,038
<OTHER-SE>                                  11,882,584
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                23,016,785
<SALES>                                     14,272,022
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            14,272,022
<CGS>                                       12,203,377
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               12,203,377
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                19,221
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               190,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             181,733
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                222,755
<INCOME-TAX>                                    86,055
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            136,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   136,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .03