<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAIN SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER ENDED 11/30/97 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                          49,814
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   97,720
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    105,957
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               255,250
<PP&E>                                          74,386
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 439,625
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           55,514
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           438
<OTHER-SE>                                     370,401
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   439,625
<SALES>                                        186,653
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               186,653
<CGS>                                          111,548
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,133
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (3,372)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 580
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 38,764
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,405
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,359
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,359
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0