<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>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-25-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-27-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-25-1997
<CASH>                                          40,916<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   81,580
<ALLOWANCES>                                       891
<INVENTORY>                                     54,522
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               209,280
<PP&E>                                         173,306
<DEPRECIATION>                                 113,660
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 292,360
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           66,477
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,262
<OTHER-SE>                                     200,677
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   292,360
<SALES>                                        430,166
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               430,166
<CGS>                                          196,791
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  203,153
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,400)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 279
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,622
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,016
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,606
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,606
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.16
<FN>
<F1>in thousands except shares and per share amounts
</FN>