<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet and Income Statement and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-25-1997<F1>
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-27-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-24-1997
<CASH>                                          41,077
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   76,758
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,037
<INVENTORY>                                     52,673
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               199,543
<PP&E>                                         171,361
<DEPRECIATION>                                 112,643
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 281,657
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           50,151
<BONDS>                                          3,274
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,155
<OTHER-SE>                                     203,317
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   281,657
<SALES>                                        315,077
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               315,077
<CGS>                                          145,601
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  140,674
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,535)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 238
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,099
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,714
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,385
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,385
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.16
<FN>
<F1>Amounts in this column are in thousands except share amounts.
</FN>