<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                      15,377,000
<SECURITIES>                                 3,311,000
<RECEIVABLES>                              110,861,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,109,000
<INVENTORY>                                 90,387,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           222,745,000
<PP&E>                                     111,426,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              52,783,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             307,362,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      101,603,000
<BONDS>                                     45,475,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    416,000
<COMMON>                                     7,302,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 152,566,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               307,362,000
<SALES>                                    313,904,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           313,904,000
<CGS>                                      238,697,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              238,697,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               609,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,536,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             15,948,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 6,219,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          9,729,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 9,729,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0