<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1999
<CASH>                                       6,669,092
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               82,165,588<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                117,118,459
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           221,453,516
<PP&E>                                      68,262,832<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             304,987,584
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       88,376,670
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       643,452
<OTHER-SE>                                 215,727,349
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               304,987,584
<SALES>                                    436,656,256
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           436,656,256
<CGS>                                      189,138,694
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              189,138,694
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           175,806,143
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              47,293
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             74,049,285
<INCOME-TAX>                                27,589,716
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         46,459,569
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                46,459,569
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.67


<FN>
(1) Net of allowance.
(2) Net of accumulated depreciation.
</FN>