<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
(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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                           AUG-31-1999
<CASH>                                   2,123,595
<SECURITIES>                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                           71,332,575 <F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                     0
<INVENTORY>                            114,860,634
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       211,786,087
<PP&E>                                  69,273,805 <F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                   0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         295,350,746
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   63,660,850
<BONDS>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            0
<PREFERRED>                                      0
<COMMON>                                   644,504
<OTHER-SE>                             230,323,850
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           295,350,746
<SALES>                                595,664,088
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                       595,664,088
<CGS>                                  258,777,119
<TOTAL-COSTS>                          258,777,119
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                       243,549,726
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         326,809
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         95,776,122
<INCOME-TAX>                            35,713,760
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     60,062,362
<DISCONTINUED>                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  0
<CHANGES>                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                            60,062,362
<EPS-BASIC>                                 0.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 0.88

<FN>
F1 - Net of allowance.
F2 - Net of accumulated depreciation.
</FN>