<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> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1997 <CASH> 78,987,791 <SECURITIES> 19,984,566 <RECEIVABLES> 40,246,381<F1> <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 45,272,329 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 196,649,829 <PP&E> 45,905,195<F2> <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 255,816,291 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 44,170,743 <BONDS> 0<F3> <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 678,809 <OTHER-SE> 210,455,186 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 255,816,291 <SALES> 102,493,470 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 102,492,470 <CGS> 39,982,529 <TOTAL-COSTS> 39,982,529 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 42,326,715 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 68,534 <INCOME-PRETAX> 21,356,329 <INCOME-TAX> 7,806,126 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,550,203 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 13,550,203 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.19 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 <FN> <F1>Net of allowance. <F2>Net of depreciation. <F3>Includes Long-term obligations. </FN>