<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FILED AS
PART OF THE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-2000
<CASH>                                          38,999
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  442,058
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,725
<INVENTORY>                                    409,983
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               936,825
<PP&E>                                         732,183
<DEPRECIATION>                                 230,861
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,479,195
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          555,638
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           177
<OTHER-SE>                                     692,004
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,479,195
<SALES>                                      2,493,233
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,493,233
<CGS>                                        2,241,221
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,344,850
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,867
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                144,516
<INCOME-TAX>                                    45,919
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             98,597
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    98,597
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.54