<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 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR  
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1998
<CASH>                                          23,139
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  129,355
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,079
<INVENTORY>                                    123,097
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               290,379
<PP&E>                                         324,336
<DEPRECIATION>                                  99,656
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 526,703
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          186,719
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            37
<OTHER-SE>                                     248,329
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   526,703
<SALES>                                      1,277,374
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,277,374
<CGS>                                        1,115,647
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,192,270
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,124
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 81,980
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,047
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             56,933
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    56,933
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.48