SCHOLASTIC CORP
10-Q, 1997-01-14
BOOKS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING
Previous: MATRIX SERVICE CO, 10-Q, 1997-01-14
Next: EASTWIND GROUP INC, 8-K, 1997-01-14




<PAGE>

                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        Washington, D.C. 20549

                               Form 10-Q

                              (Mark One)

[X]  Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities 
     Exchange Act of 1934

                For the period ended November 30, 1996
                                  or

[  ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934 
     For the transition period from _________________ to ______________________

                    Commission File Number: 0-19860

                        SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
        (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           DELAWARE                                      13-3385513
- -------------------------------                --------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                (IRS Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

    555 Broadway, New York, New York                        10012
- ---------------------------------------                  -----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)


                                 212-343-6100
             ---------------------------------------------------
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


             ----------------------------------------------------
             (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
                                       
                                [X] Yes [ ] No

                APPLICABLE ONLY TO USERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
                 PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and
reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan
confirmed by a court.

                                [ ] Yes [ ] No

                     APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

                                                    Number of shares outstanding
     Title of each class                              as of December 31, 1996
     -------------------                              -----------------------

Common Stock, $.01 par value                                15,244,899
Class A Stock, $.01 par value                                  828,100

<PAGE>
                            SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
          INDEX TO FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Part I - Financial Information                                                                    Page
                                                                                                 ------
<S>                                                                                              <C>
         Item 1. Financial Statements

                  Consolidated Condensed Statement of Income for the Three
                  Months Ended November 30, 1996 and November 30, 1995
                  and for the Six Months ended November 30, 1996 and 1995                          1

                  Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet at November 30, 1996,
                  May 31, 1996 and November 30, 1995                                               2

                  Consolidated Condensed Statement of Cash Flows for the Six
                  Months Ended November 30, 1996 and November 30, 1995                             3

                  Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements                           4 - 5

         Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
                   and Results of Operations                                                     6 - 7


Part II - Other Information

           Item 1.    Legal Proceedings                                                            8

           Item 2.    Changes in Securities                                                        8

           Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities                                              8


           Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                          8

           Item 5.    Other Information                                                            8

           Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                             8

Signatures                                                                                         9
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                        PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                            SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
                  CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                  (Unaudited)
            (Amounts in thousands except shares and per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         Three Months Ended                Six Months Ended
                                                     --------------------------     ---------------------------
                                                     November 30,   November 30,    November 30,    November 30,
                                                        1996           1995            1996             1995
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Revenues                                            $   342,174     $   294,610     $   500,763     $   429,801
Operating costs and expenses:
   Cost of goods sold                                   165,799         139,315         259,534         221,055
   Selling, general and administrative expenses         106,683          98,943         187,244         163,132
   Intangible amortization and depreciation               4,125           3,142           7,613           5,664
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Total operating costs and expenses                      276,607         241,400         454,391         389,851

Operating income                                         65,567          53,210          46,372          39,950
Interest expense, net                                     4,211           3,014           7,582           5,365
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Income before provision for income taxes                 61,356          50,196          38,790          34,585
Provision for income taxes                               22,886          19,074          14,311          13,255
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
                                  
Net income                                          $    38,470     $    31,122     $    24,479     $    21,330
                                                    ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
Primary earnings per share                          $      2.36     $      1.92     $      1.51     $      1.32
Fully diluted earnings per share                    $      2.21     $      1.81     $      1.47     $      1.31

Weighted average Class A, Common and
   Class A Share and Common Share
   Equivalents:
Primary                                              16,322,474      16,180,250      16,254,388      16,100,166
Fully diluted                                        17,780,788      17,660,765      17,763,006      17,008,669
</TABLE>
                                       
                            SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES

                                      -1-

<PAGE>
                             SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

                             (Amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            November 30, 1996  May 31, 1996  November 30, 1995
                                            -----------------  ------------  -----------------
                                               (Unaudited)                      (Unaudited)
<S>                                         <C>                 <C>          <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                      $    2,212      $   4,300          $     567
   Accounts receivable less allowance for
     doubtful accounts                               184,907        118,390            157,966
   Inventories:
     Paper                                            16,616          9,041             14,778
     Books and other                                 222,603        180,937            203,303
   Prepaid and other deferred expenses                17,296         15,118             17,531
   Deferred taxes current                             23,605         22,694             17,715
                                                   ---------      ---------          ---------
     Total current assets                            467,239        350,480            411,860

Property, plant and equipment, net                   122,111        114,137            101,001
Prepublication costs                                 104,185        105,016             95,233
Other assets and deferred charges                    117,758        103,533             59,790
                                                   ---------      ---------          ---------
                                                   $ 811,293      $ 673,166          $ 667,884
                                                   =========      =========          =========
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                                   64,609         63,148             60,181
   Deferred revenue                                   34,064          9,216             35,059
   Other accrued expenses                             65,096         60,756             67,575
   Other current liabilities                          48,659         40,278             29,852
                                                   ---------      ---------          ---------
     Total current liabilities                       212,428        173,398            192,667

Noncurrent liabilities:
   Long-term debt                                    252,350        186,810            178,151
   Other noncurrent liabilities                       23,983         24,311             22,130
                                                   ---------      ---------          ---------
     Total noncurrent liabilities                    276,333        211,121            200,281
Stockholders' equity:
   Class A Stock, $.01 par value                           8              8                  8
   Common Stock, $.01 par value                          165            163                163
   Additional paid-in capital                        202,349        194,785            192,947
   Accumulated earnings                              155,122        130,643            120,076
   Less shares held in treasury                      (36,812)       (36,812)           (36,812)
   Foreign currency translation adjustment             1,700           (140)            (1,446)
                                                   ---------      ---------          ---------

     Total stockholders' equity                      322,532        288,647            274,936
                                                   ---------      ---------          ---------
                                                     811,293        673,166          $ 667,884
                                                   =========      =========          =========
</TABLE>

                             SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES

                                       -2-
<PAGE>
                             SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
                 CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

                                   (Unaudited)
                             (Amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Six Months Ended
                                                          ----------------------------
                                                          November 30,    November 30,
                                                              1996            1995
                                                          ------------    ------------
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>       
Net cash used in operating activities                      $ (26,706)     $ (36,955)
Cash flows from investing activities:
   Additions to property, plant and equipment                (12,977)       (12,003)
   Prepublication cost expenditures                          (12,765)       (26,735)
   Business acquisition-related payments                     (10,829)        (1,068)
   Royalty advances paid                                      (7,988)        (9,965)
   Preproduction cost expenditures                            (6,244)        (6,989)
                                                           ---------      ---------
Net cash used in investing activities                        (50,803)       (56,760)
Cash flows from financing activities:
   Borrowings under lines of credit                          152,183        115,250
   Principal paydowns on lines of credit                     (86,757)      (138,708)
   Proceeds received from issuance of convertible debt             0        107,250
   Proceeds received from notes payable                       17,760         27,612
   Principal paydowns on notes payable                       (15,282)       (23,900)
   Tax benefit realized from stock option transactions         3,622          2,228
   Other, net                                                  3,914            826
                                                           ---------      ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities                     75,440         90,558
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash                         (19)            16
                                                           ---------      ---------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                     (2,088)        (3,141)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period               4,300          3,708
                                                           ---------      ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                 $   2,212      $     567
                                                           =========      =========

Supplemental information:
   Income taxes paid                                       $   9,672      $   1,288
   Interest paid                                           $   6,844      $   4,139
</TABLE>

                             SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES

                                       -3-
<PAGE>

                             SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements have not been
audited, but reflect those adjustments consisting of normal recurring items
which management considers necessary for a fair presentation of financial
position, results of operations and cash flow. These financial statements should
be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related
notes in the 1996 Annual Report to shareholders.

The business of Scholastic Corporation including its subsidiaries (the
"Company") is the publication and sale of educational materials and its business
cycle is closely correlated to the normal school year. The results of operations
for the six months ended November 30, 1996 and November 30, 1995 are not
indicative of the results expected for the full year. Due to the seasonal
fluctuations that occur, the prior year's November 30 balance sheet is included
for comparative purposes.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in the accompanying
consolidated condensed financial statements to conform to the current year
presentation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and
assumptions.

2.  Long Term Debt

The Company has a loan agreement (the "Loan Agreement") with certain banks which
provide for revolving credit loans and letters of credit in the amount of $135.0
million, with a right, in certain circumstances, to increase it up to $160.0
million. The Loan Agreement expires on May 31, 2000. At November 30, 1996, the
amount available of $135.0 million was reduced by letters of credit outstanding
in the amount of $1.3 million, and the aggregate amount of borrowings was $115.0
million.

The Company has a Revolving Loan Agreement (the "Revolver") with Sun Bank,
National Association, which provides for revolving credit loans in an aggregate
principal amount of up to $35.0 million. At November 30, 1996, the aggregate

amount of borrowings was $24.6 million.

On August 18, 1995, the Company sold $110.0 million of 5.0% Convertible
Subordinated Debentures due August 15, 2005 (the "Debentures") under Regulation
S and Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. The Debentures are listed on the
Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the portion sold under Rule 144A is designated for
trading in the Portal system of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. Interest on the Debentures is payable semi-annually on August 15 and
February 15 of each year. The Debentures are redeemable at the option of the
Company, in whole, but not in part, at any time on or after August 15, 1998 at
100% of the principal amount plus accrued interest. Each Debenture is
convertible, at the holder's option, any time prior to maturity, into Common
Stock of the Company at a conversion price of $76.86 per share.

                                       -4-
<PAGE>

3.  Stockholder's Equity

During the six months ended November 30, 1996, options to purchase a total of
192,225 shares of Common Stock were exercised at per share prices ranging from
$1.17 to $57.56. The exercise of these options resulted in a tax deduction of
$3.6 million, which was credited directly to additional paid-in capital.

4.  Subsequent Event

On December 23, 1996, the Company issued $125.0 million of 7% Notes due December
15, 2003 (the "Notes"). The Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations
of the Company and will mature on December 15, 2003. The Notes are not
redeemable prior to maturity. Interest on the Notes will be payable
semi-annually on December 15 and June 15 of each year, commencing on June 15,
1997. The net proceeds (including accrued interest) from the issuance of the
Notes were $123.9 million, after deducting underwriting discount and other
related offering costs. The Company utilized the net proceeds to repay amounts
outstanding under the Loan Agreement.

                                       -5-

<PAGE>
                             SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

Revenues for the quarter ended November 30, 1996 increased from $294.6 million
to $342.2 million, or 16%, versus the comparable quarter of the prior year.
Revenues improved due to a $22.6 million, or 11%, increase in domestic book
publishing, resulting from an increase in Book Fairs sales and an increase in
book club sales due to the addition of the Trumpet book clubs that were acquired
in January 1996. Media, TV/Movie Productions and Licensing revenues increased
129% from $9.1 million to $21.0 million due to increased merchandising and
licensing revenues primarily from Goosebumps merchandise licensing royalties.
International revenues also increased by 27% versus the comparable quarter last
year due to strong trade and book fair sales in the Canadian and United Kingdom

subsidiaries, with the United Kingdom revenue benefiting from the Pages book
fairs purchased in March 1996. Revenues for the six months ended November 30,
1996 totaled $500.8 million, a 17% increase over revenue reported for the six
months ended November 30, 1995.

As a percentage of revenue, cost of goods sold increased 1.2% for the quarter
and 0.4% for the six months ended November 30, 1996 versus the comparable
periods in the prior year. For the quarter the increase is a result of the
Company's sales mix and increased prepublication cost amortization due to
Scholastic's Literacy Place program, partly offset by the sales growth in
merchandise licensing. Selling, general and administrative expense as a
percentage of revenue decreased 2.4% for the quarter and 0.6% for the six months
ended November 30, 1996 versus the comparable periods in the prior year, largely
as a result of selling expenses growing slower than sales.

Operating income for the quarter ended November 30, 1996 increased from $53.2
million in the corresponding quarter of the prior fiscal year to $65.6 million.
This increase in operating income results reflects the increase in high margin
license royalties combined with improved international and children's book
publishing margins. Operating income for the six months ended November 30, 1996,
increased $6.4 million or 16% over the six months ended November 30, 1995.

Net income for the quarter ended November 30, 1996 was $38.5 million versus
$31.1 million in the comparable quarter in the prior year. Primary earnings per
share increased to $2.36 from $1.92 and fully diluted earnings per share
increased to $2.21 from $1.81 in the comparable quarter last year. Net income
for the six months ended November 30, 1996 was $24.5 million versus $21.3
million in the comparable period last year. Primary earnings per share increased
to $1.51 from $1.32 and fully diluted earnings per share increased to $1.47 from
$1.31 in the comparable six month period in the prior year.

                                       -6-
<PAGE>

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company had a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents for the six months
ended November 30, 1996 of $2.1 million, compared to a net decrease for the
comparable period in the prior year of $3.1 million. Cash provided by financing
activities funded the net cash used in operating and investing activities during
the six months ended November 30, 1996 and 1995.

For the six months ended November 30, 1996 and 1995, net cash provided by
financing activities was $75.4 million and $90.6 million, respectively.
Financing activities consisted primarily of borrowings and paydowns under the
Loan Agreement and Revolver and, in the prior year, also of the sale of
Debentures. Proceeds from the sale of Debentures and borrowings under the Loan
Agreement have been the primary source of the Company's liquidity.

Cash used in investing activities was $50.8 million and $56.8 million for the
first six months of fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively. Investing activities
primarily consist of prepublication and production cost expenditures, payments
for capital expenditures, payments for business and trademark acquisitions, and
royalty advances. Prepublication cost expenditures totaled $12.8 million and

$26.7 million for the first six months of fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The $13.9 million decrease in prepublication costs for the six months ended
November 30, 1996 over the comparable period in the prior year was largely due
to the reduction of costs associated with the Company's investment in its
instructional publishing and technology based activities, primarily the 
development of a literacy program. Business and trademark acquisition payments
totaled $10.8 million and $1.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 1997
and 1996, respectively, was due largely to the Company's acquisition of Lectorum
Publications, Inc. on September 4, 1996, and the Company's investment in
Gallimard S.A. Cash used in other investing activities such as production cost
expenditures, payments for capital expenditures and royalty advances changed
modestly from the first six months of fiscal 1996.

The Company believes its existing cash position, combined with funds generated
from operations, the proceeds from the issuance of the $125.0 million of Notes
and funds available under the Loan Agreement and the Revolver, will be
sufficient to finance its ongoing working capital requirements for the
foreseeable future.

                                       -7-
<PAGE>

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

           These items, which would be answered in the negative, have been
omitted.

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits:

               Exhibit
               Number          Description of Document

               3  (a) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the 
                           Registrant. (1)

                  (b) By-Laws of the Registrant. (2)

               4  (a) Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated April 11, 1995
                      among the Registrant, Scholastic Inc., Citibank,
                      N.A., as agent, Marine Midland Bank, Chase Manhattan
                      Bank, N.A., The First National Bank of Boston and United
                      Jersey Bank. (4)

                  (b) Revolving Loan Agreement dated June 19, 1995 between the
                      Registrant, Scholastic Inc. and Sun Bank, National
                      Association. (3)


                  (c) Overdraft Facility dated June 1, 1992, as amended on
                      September 12, 1994 between Scholastic Canada Ltd. and
                      CIBC. (3)

                  (d) Overdraft Facility dated June 24, 1993 between Scholastic
                      Ltd. (formerly known as Scholastic Publications Ltd.) and
                      Citibank, N.A. (3)

                  (e) Overdraft Facility dated May 14, 1992 as amended on
                      November 2, 1992, between Scholastic Ltd. (formerly known
                      as Scholastic Publications Ltd.) and Midland Bank. (3)

                  (f) Overdraft Facility dated April 20, 1993 between Ashton
                      Scholastic Ltd. and ANZ Banking Group Ltd. (3)

                  (g) Overdraft Facility dated February 12, 1993, as amended on
                      January 31, 1995 between Scholastic Australia Pty. Ltd.
                      (formerly known as Ashton Scholastic Pty. Ltd.) and
                      National Australia Bank Ltd. (3)

                  (h) Indenture dated August 15, 1995, relating to $110 million
                      of 5% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due August 15,
                      2005 issued by the Registrant. (5)

                  (i) Indenture dated December 15, 1996, relating to $125
                      million of 7% Notes due December 15, 2003 issued by the
                      Registrant. (6)

              11   Computation of Net Income per Class A, Common and Class A 
                   Share and Common Share Equivalents.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
                - Current Report filed on Form 8-K with the Commission on 
                  December 12, 1996

- -----------
Footnotes:

(1)      Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
         Form S-8 (Registration No. 33-46338) as filed with the Commission on
         March 12, 1992.

(2)      Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
         Form S-1(Registration No. 33-45022) as filed with the Commission on
         January 10, 1992 (the "1992 Registration Statement").

(3)      Such long-term debt does not individually amount to more than 10% of
         the total assets of the subsidiaries on a Registrant and its
         consolidated basis. Accordingly, pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of
         Regulation S-K, such instrument is not filed herewith. The Registrant
         hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the
         Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

(4)      Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter

         ended February 28, 1995 as filed with the Commission on April 13, 1995
         (File No. 0-19860).

(5)      Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
         as filed with the Commission on August 28, 1995 ( File No. 0-19860).

(6)      Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
         Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-17365) as filed with the Commission on
         December 11, 1996.

                                       -8-
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                                    Scholastic Corporation
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    (Registrant)


Date: January 14, 1997                              /s/ Richard Robinson
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Chairman of the Board,
                                                    President, Chief Executive
                                                    Officer & Director

Date: January 14, 1997                              /s/ Kevin J. McEnery
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Executive Vice President and
                                                    Chief Financial Officer

                                       -9-




<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 11

                             SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
            COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME PER CLASS A, COMMON AND CLASS A
                       SHARE AND COMMON SHARE EQUIVALENTS
             (Amounts in thousands except shares and per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Three Months Ended               Six Months Ended
                                                 ---------------------------     --------------------------
                                                 November 30,   November 30,     November 30,  November 30,
                                                     1996           1995             1996          1995
                                                 -----------    ------------     ------------  ------------
                                                         (Unaudited)                     (Unaudited)
<S>                                              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>        

Net income used for primary earnings per
   share                                         $    38,470     $    31,122     $    24,479     $    21,330
Net interest savings from assumed conversion
   of Convertible Subordinated Debentures                853             853           1,705             995
                                                 -----------    ------------     -----------     ------------

Net income used for fully diluted earnings
   per share                                     $    39,323     $    31,975     $    26,184     $    22,325
                                                 ===========    ============     ===========     ============

Primary:
Weighted average Class A and Common
   Shares outstanding                             15,946,780      15,761,145      15,915,111      15,733,686
Common Share equivalents arising from
   outstanding options computed on the
   treasury stock method                             375,694         419,105         339,277         366,480
                                                 -----------    ------------     -----------     ------------

Primary Class A, Common and Class A
   Share and Common Share Equivalents
   outstanding                                    16,322,474      16,180,250      16,254,388      16,100,166

Fully Diluted:
Additional dilutive effect of outstanding
   options computed on the treasury stock
   method                                             24,159          46,360          56,573          73,652
Assumed conversion of Convertible
   Subordinated Debentures                         1,434,155       1,434,155       1,452,045         834,851
                                                 -----------    ------------     -----------     ------------
Fully diluted Class A, Common and Class
   A Share and Common Share Equivalents
   outstanding                                    17,780,788      17,660,765      17,763,006      17,008,669
                                                 ===========    ============     ===========     ============


Primary earnings per share                       $      2.36     $      1.92     $      1.51     $      1.32
Fully diluted earnings per share                 $      2.21     $      1.81     $      1.47     $      1.31
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 5

<MULTIPLIER> 1000

       
<S>                                 <C>    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                        NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                              2,212
<SECURITIES>                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                       199,349
<ALLOWANCES>                        14,442
<INVENTORY>                         239,219
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    467,239
<PP&E>                              159,560
<DEPRECIATION>                      37,449
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      811,293
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               212,428
<BONDS>                             110,000
               0
                         0
<COMMON>                            165
<OTHER-SE>                          322,367
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>        811,293
<SALES>                             500,763
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                    500,763
<CGS>                               259,534
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       446,778
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    7,613
<LOSS-PROVISION>                    5,228
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                  7,582
<INCOME-PRETAX>                     38,790
<INCOME-TAX>                        14,311
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                 24,479
<DISCONTINUED>                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                     0
<CHANGES>                           0
<NET-INCOME>                        24,479
<EPS-PRIMARY>                       1.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                       1.47
                              


</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission