<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains a summary of financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Earnings and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.

<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-2000             OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-2000             JUL-31-1999
<CASH>                                          39,670                  23,151
<SECURITIES>                                   164,622                 510,391
<RECEIVABLES>                                  657,644                 512,547
<ALLOWANCES>                                    39,934                  39,822
<INVENTORY>                                    244,264                 230,718
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,010,993                 920,878
<PP&E>                                         314,443                 345,781
<DEPRECIATION>                                 189,002                 198,235
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,154,512               3,489,318
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          762,267                 898,863
<BONDS>                                      1,407,008               1,324,536
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                        791                     894
<COMMON>                                        73,134                  71,119
<OTHER-SE>                                     695,313                 913,864
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,154,512               3,489,318
<SALES>                                      1,684,402               1,459,058
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,684,402               1,459,058
<CGS>                                          561,479                 473,920
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,474,566               1,319,487
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               268,292                 155,538
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              78,593                  79,371
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                157,214                  72,169
<INCOME-TAX>                                    58,169                  25,142
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             99,930                  50,519
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                  46,899
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    99,930                  97,418
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.37                    1.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.37                    1.35