<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1998 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 51,563 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 448,969 <ALLOWANCES> 28,988 <INVENTORY> 876,111 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,447,148 <PP&E> 120,348 <DEPRECIATION> 56,057 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,575,976 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 954,690 <BONDS> 541,616 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 273 <OTHER-SE> 68,531 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,575,976 <SALES> 6,541,355 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 6,541,355 <CGS> 6,223,267 <TOTAL-COSTS> 6,223,267 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 206,509 <LOSS-PROVISION> 8,505 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 34,250 <INCOME-PRETAX> 77,329 <INCOME-TAX> 30,164 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 47,165 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 47,165 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.97 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.95