<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 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<CASH>                                          18,088
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  212,188
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,096
<INVENTORY>                                    156,546
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               404,318
<PP&E>                                         401,882
<DEPRECIATION>                                 118,059
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 698,930
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          273,369
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            75
<OTHER-SE>                                     293,124
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   698,930
<SALES>                                        941,304
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               941,304
<CGS>                                          835,216
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  875,177
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,190
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 62,937
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,035
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,902
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,902
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.52