<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                      38,706,587
<SECURITIES>                                60,145,569
<RECEIVABLES>                               18,077,184<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 28,124,654
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           154,735,387
<PP&E>                                      25,843,172<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             190,591,265
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       21,898,159
<BONDS>                                              0<F3>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       333,394
<OTHER-SE>                                 168,259,062
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               190,591,265
<SALES>                                    114,603,971
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           114,603,971
<CGS>                                       42,696,573
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               42,696,573
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            48,892,518
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,261
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             24,983,023
<INCOME-TAX>                                 9,189,659
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         15,793,364
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                15,793,364
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>NET OF ALLOWANCE.
<F2>NET OF DEPRECIATION.
<F3>INCLUDES LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS.
</FN>