<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