<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                          55,680
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  120,449
<ALLOWANCES>                                       904
<INVENTORY>                                     90,114
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               272,439
<PP&E>                                         268,110
<DEPRECIATION>                                  85,645
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 455,274
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          170,600
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            37
<OTHER-SE>                                     229,114
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   455,274
<SALES>                                        650,200
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               650,200
<CGS>                                          564,795
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  564,795
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                25,726
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,847
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 57,832
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,622
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,210
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,210
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.02