<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>