<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                          88,403
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  129,523
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    382,367
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               614,880
<PP&E>                                         519,031
<DEPRECIATION>                               (322,979)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,032,537
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          252,280
<BONDS>                                        481,481
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        22,330
<OTHER-SE>                                     212,847
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,032,537
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               770,814
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  674,471
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                44,978
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              45,967
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,398
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,170
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,228
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,228
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.16