<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF APRIL 30, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<CASH>                                           9,476
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  351,014
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,262
<INVENTORY>                                    470,474
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               854,393
<PP&E>                                         107,230
<DEPRECIATION>                                  53,927
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,095,764
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          689,797
<BONDS>                                          2,337
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          194,739
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            43
<OTHER-SE>                                     207,905
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,095,764
<SALES>                                      2,367,004
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,838,802
<CGS>                                        2,136,396
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,424,118
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,399
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 70,095
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,236
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,859
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,947
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.81