<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 3RD
QUARTER FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 4/30/98 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                          25,279
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  286,293
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,224
<INVENTORY>                                    515,141
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               850,436
<PP&E>                                         110,030
<DEPRECIATION>                                  60,127
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,079,251
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          687,079
<BONDS>                                          2,657
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          194,586
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            43
<OTHER-SE>                                     194,141
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,079,251
<SALES>                                      1,781,754
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,125,747
<CGS>                                        1,610,158
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,821,009
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,230
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,565
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,564
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,317
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,317
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.59