<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLAR
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          36,244
<SECURITIES>                                    11,631
<RECEIVABLES>                                  213,478
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,958
<INVENTORY>                                    167,496
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               438,149
<PP&E>                                         385,086
<DEPRECIATION>                                 167,486
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,133,318
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          149,543
<BONDS>                                        466,898
<COMMON>                                         1,370
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     429,601
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,133,318
<SALES>                                        556,086
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               556,086
<CGS>                                          321,777
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  481,645
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,706
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 61,735
<INCOME-TAX>                                    26,299
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,436
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,436
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .46