<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-1996
<CASH>                                          25,982
<SECURITIES>                                    11,024
<RECEIVABLES>                                  199,753
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,773
<INVENTORY>                                    177,753
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               424,734
<PP&E>                                         395,595
<DEPRECIATION>                                 173,999
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,120,191
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          145,834
<BONDS>                                        457,214
<COMMON>                                         1,408
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     430,449
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,120,191
<SALES>                                        819,513
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               819,513
<CGS>                                          477,454
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  723,370
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,530
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 76,613
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,315
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,298
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,298
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.56