<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
For the twelve months ended August 31, 1998
(This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Form 10-K
 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements).
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           Aug-31-1998          
<PERIOD-END>                                Aug-31-1998                         
<CASH>                                       87,349,220                             
<SECURITIES>                                 32,045,300           
<RECEIVABLES>                                60,804,504<F1>      
<ALLOWANCES>                                          0           
<INVENTORY>                                  77,726,569           
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            269,555,881           
<PP&E>                                       56,697,411<F2>      
<DEPRECIATION>                                        0           
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              339,357,697           
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        48,912,397           
<BONDS>                                               0<F3>    
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0           
<PREFERRED>                                           0           
<COMMON>                                        721,395           
<OTHER-SE>                                  289,339,792           
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                339,357,697           
<SALES>                                     530,741,068           
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            530,741,068           
<CGS>                                       223,230,942           
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               223,230,942                                
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            201,655,313          
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0          
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              218,637          
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             110,253,574          
<INCOME-TAX>                                 40,077,947          
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          70,175,627          
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0          
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0          
<CHANGES>                                             0                   
<NET-INCOME>                                 70,175,627       
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      0.99    
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.95 
<FN>
  F1 - Net of allowance.
  F2 - Net of accumulated depreciation.
  F3 - Includes Long-term obligations.
</FN>