<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 QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                          43,151
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  133,215
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,142
<INVENTORY>                                    111,779
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               296,134
<PP&E>                                         243,306
<DEPRECIATION>                                  79,317
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 461,085
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          204,719
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            37
<OTHER-SE>                                     200,603
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   461,085
<SALES>                                        319,512
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               319,512
<CGS>                                          278,167
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  278,167
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,989
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 713
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,643
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,572
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,071
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,071
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.49