<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000
<CASH> 12,908
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 66,150
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 127,484
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 77,628
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 584,109
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 14
<OTHER-SE> 141,601
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 584,109
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 619,429
<CGS> 513,059
<TOTAL-COSTS> 567,261
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 21,165
<INCOME-PRETAX> 31,003
<INCOME-TAX> 16,053
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 14,354
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 14,354
<EPS-BASIC> 1.01
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.01
</TABLE>