<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FIRST
QUARTER FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 4/30/99 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                             781
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  294,401
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,000
<INVENTORY>                                    305,049
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               622,668
<PP&E>                                         113,751
<DEPRECIATION>                                  59,373
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 866,027
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          471,191
<BONDS>                                          2,079
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          194,827
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            43
<OTHER-SE>                                     197,645
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   866,027
<SALES>                                        537,807
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               655,162
<CGS>                                          489,422
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  563,397
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,768
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (12,828)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (4,618)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (8,210)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (10,439)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.24)