<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                      39,844,256
<SECURITIES>                                60,717,871
<RECEIVABLES>                               18,726,495<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 34,051,495
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           163,174,530
<PP&E>                                      32,551,356<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             205,936,764
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       27,320,172
<BONDS>                                              0<F3>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       334,139
<OTHER-SE>                                 178,017,453
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               205,936,764
<SALES>                                    184,217,715
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           184,217,715
<CGS>                                       68,071,758
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               68,071,758
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            80,017,310
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              35,446
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             39,125,024
<INCOME-TAX>                                14,051,685
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         25,073,339
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                25,073,339
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>NET OF ALLOWANCE.
<F2>NET OF DEPRECIATION.
<F3>INCLUDES LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS.
</FN>