<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                      26,163,000
<SECURITIES>                                 5,294,000
<RECEIVABLES>                              111,215,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,790,000
<INVENTORY>                                 88,994,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           234,778,000
<PP&E>                                     108,462,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              50,485,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             318,725,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      108,591,000
<BONDS>                                     33,225,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    417,000
<COMMON>                                     7,774,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 168,718,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               318,725,000
<SALES>                                    163,477,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           163,477,000
<CGS>                                      123,627,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              123,627,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               272,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             772,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              9,611,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 3,748,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          5,863,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 5,863,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0