<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S UNAUDITED FINANCIAAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER ENDED 2/28/98
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                          50,347
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  102,080
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    114,790
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               268,389
<PP&E>                                          71,752
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 462,715
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           54,009
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           445
<OTHER-SE>                                     396,928
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   462,715
<SALES>                                        281,919
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               281,919
<CGS>                                          166,003
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   59,615
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (5,576)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 842
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 61,035
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,532
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             41,503
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    41,503
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.94