<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-29-2000 <PERIOD-END> APR-29-2000 <CASH> 74,039,635 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 133,473,787 <ALLOWANCES> 4,705,916 <INVENTORY> 66,649,819 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 279,804,455 <PP&E> 187,471,519 <DEPRECIATION> 87,544,891 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 471,123,035 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 94,335,390 <BONDS> 12,015,997 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 13,993,276 <OTHER-SE> 341,177,257 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 471,123,035 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 566,959,976 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 423,407,440 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 22,755,372 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 755,596 <INCOME-PRETAX> 73,653,629 <INCOME-TAX> 30,211,814 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 43,441,815 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 43,441,815 <EPS-BASIC> 1.05 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.03