<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
(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>                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               Aug-31-1999           
<PERIOD-END>                                    Nov-30-1998           
<CASH>                                           64,942,243           
<SECURITIES>                                     11,356,571           
<RECEIVABLES>                                    51,029,547<F1>      
<ALLOWANCES>                                              0           
<INVENTORY>                                      85,836,120           
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                225,681,905           
<PP&E>                                           60,063,618<F2>      
<DEPRECIATION>                                            0           
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  301,151,158           
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            49,800,203           
<BONDS>                                                   0 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0           
<PREFERRED>                                               0           
<COMMON>                                            686,873           
<OTHER-SE>                                      250,279,969           
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    301,151,158           
<SALES>                                         123,549,961           
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                123,549,961           
<CGS>                                            53,168,436           
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    53,168,436                           
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 52,935,816        
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0        
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    8,888        
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  18,716,748        
<INCOME-TAX>                                      6,962,740        
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              11,754,008        
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0        
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0        
<CHANGES>                                                 0        
<NET-INCOME>                                     11,754,008                      
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          0.16    
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          0.16    
                                                                   
<FN>       
F1 - Net of allowance. 
F2 - Net of accumulated depreciation.
</FN>