<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1998
<CASH>                                          68,725
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  320,430
<ALLOWANCES>                                    13,557
<INVENTORY>                                    239,513
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               679,171
<PP&E>                                         543,461
<DEPRECIATION>                                 223,587
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,706,374
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          257,741
<BONDS>                                        575,289
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,610
<OTHER-SE>                                     753,371
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,706,374
<SALES>                                        863,857
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               863,857
<CGS>                                          471,572
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  755,826
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,471
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 89,560
<INCOME-TAX>                                    36,624
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             52,936
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    52,936
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.48