<TABLE> <S> <C>
<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.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C> <C>
<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
0 0
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
</TABLE>