<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FILED AS
PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                          72,419
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   79,063
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,170
<INVENTORY>                                     67,496
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               223,288
<PP&E>                                         140,240
<DEPRECIATION>                                  61,631
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 302,189
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          105,898
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            18
<OTHER-SE>                                     133,530
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   302,189
<SALES>                                        203,070
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               203,070
<CGS>                                          179,978
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  179,978
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,432
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 658
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,002
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,174
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,828
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,828
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.47