
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          15,874
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  770,274
<ALLOWANCES>                                    21,963
<INVENTORY>                                    796,756
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,690,079
<PP&E>                                       1,516,394
<DEPRECIATION>                                 944,562
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,271,581
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          564,941
<BONDS>                                        847,608
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       143,174
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,426,272
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,271,581
<SALES>                                        965,231
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,439,519
<CGS>                                          560,264
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,172,865
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               111,790
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,228
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                126,421
<INCOME-TAX>                                    52,464
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             73,957
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    73,957
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52
        

</TABLE>
