<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 31, 2000
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-START>                             SEP-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-2000
<CASH>                                          10,041
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   93,626
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    144,690
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          76,633
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 606,471
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            14
<OTHER-SE>                                     137,498
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   606,471
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               457,740
<CGS>                                          379,487
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  437,694
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,018
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 20,046
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,891
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,968
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,968
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.63