<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
For the six months ended February 28, 1999
(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-31-1999  
<PERIOD-END>                                     Feb-28-1999  
<CASH>                                            38,259,788               
<SECURITIES>                                               0          
<RECEIVABLES>                                     73,948,772     <F1> 
<ALLOWANCES>                                               0          
<INVENTORY>                                       72,878,126          
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 198,734,038          
<PP&E>                                            64,156,498     <F2> 
<DEPRECIATION>                                             0          
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   277,462,701          
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             56,939,067          
<BONDS>                                                    0          
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                      0          
<PREFERRED>                                                0          
<COMMON>                                             654,763          
<OTHER-SE>                                       219,528,758          
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     277,462,701          
<SALES>                                          265,444,946          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 265,444,946          
<CGS>                                            116,717,288          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    116,717,288          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 106,256,910          
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                           0          
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     9,458          
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   44,571,016          
<INCOME-TAX>                                      16,605,283          
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               27,965,733          
<DISCONTINUED>                                             0          
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                            0          
<CHANGES>                                                  0          
<NET-INCOME>                                      27,965,733          
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           0.40          
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           0.39          
<FN>
<F1> - Net of allowance.
<F2> - Net of accumulated depreciation.
</FN>