<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE REGISTRANTS CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPT. 30, 1996 FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRANT'S FORM 10-K FOR THE
YEAR ENDED SEPT. 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          28,577
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  515,156
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,331
<INVENTORY>                                    155,890
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         150,052
<DEPRECIATION>                                  36,288
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 841,977
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          301,505
<BONDS>                                        134,379
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        22,811
<OTHER-SE>                                     375,961
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   841,977
<SALES>                                        862,079
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               973,922
<CGS>                                          609,303
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  839,872
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,370
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                110,680
<INCOME-TAX>                                    42,425
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    68,255
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.47