<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANTS REPORT ON FORM 10 Q FOR THE NINE MONTH INTERIM PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY
28, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-28-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<CASH>                                          11,886
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  158,485
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,324
<INVENTORY>                                    276,290
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               498,123
<PP&E>                                         177,992
<DEPRECIATION>                                (78,178)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 708,218
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          159,874
<BONDS>                                        181,018
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        28,988
<OTHER-SE>                                     291,340
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   708,218
<SALES>                                        672,395
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               672,395
<CGS>                                          545,900
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  616,517
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,547<F1>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,928<F2>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 42,950
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,014
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,936
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,936
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.07
<FN>
<F1>PROVISION FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS IS INCLUDED IN TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES
<F2>INTEREST EXPENSE IS PRESENTED NET OF $536 OF INTEREST INCOME
</FN>