<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                      15,243,000
<SECURITIES>                                 3,307,000
<RECEIVABLES>                              120,157,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,182,000
<INVENTORY>                                 85,676,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           225,882,000
<PP&E>                                     114,752,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              55,168,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             311,811,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      103,987,000
<BONDS>                                     39,872,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    416,000
<COMMON>                                     7,305,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 160,231,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               311,811,000
<SALES>                                    494,398,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           494,398,000
<CGS>                                      373,582,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              373,582,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               959,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,542,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             28,986,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                11,254,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         17,732,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                17,732,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0