<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1999
<CASH>                                          94,959
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                5,862,515
<ALLOWANCES>                                   250,295
<INVENTORY>                                 14,252,581
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            21,104,420
<PP&E>                                      16,621,485
<DEPRECIATION>                               9,493,869
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              28,405,440
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       12,725,566
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        53,038
<OTHER-SE>                                  12,259,155
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                28,405,440
<SALES>                                     42,965,624
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            42,965,624
<CGS>                                       36,368,727
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               36,368,727
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (12,808)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               250,295
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             594,302
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                799,891
<INCOME-TAX>                                   286,619
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            513,272
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   513,272
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .10