<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
For the six months ended February 29, 2000 (This schedule contains summary
financial information extracted from Form 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements).
</LEGEND>

                                                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                      Aug-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                           Feb-29-2000
<CASH>                                                           0
<SECURITIES>                                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                                           84,988,319
<ALLOWANCES>                                                     0
<INVENTORY>                                            129,853,118
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                       240,448,555
<PP&E>                                                  69,592,158
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         427,581,947
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   83,996,333
<BONDS>                                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                            0
<PREFERRED>                                                      0
<COMMON>                                                   638,137
<OTHER-SE>                                             251,721,180
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                           427,581,947
<SALES>                                                318,427,006
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       318,427,006
<CGS>                                                  144,751,628
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          144,751,628
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                       126,807,278
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       1,137,695
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         46,329,280
<INCOME-TAX>                                            17,668,132
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     28,661,148
<DISCONTINUED>                                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                  0
<CHANGES>                                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                            28,661,148
<EPS-BASIC>                                                   0.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 0.44