<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                      17,846,000
<SECURITIES>                                 4,297,000
<RECEIVABLES>                              125,302,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 4,519,000
<INVENTORY>                                 69,886,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           229,015,000
<PP&E>                                     100,716,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              45,010,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             311,169,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      105,751,000
<BONDS>                                     32,458,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    405,000
<COMMON>                                     7,313,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 165,242,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               311,169,000
<SALES>                                    655,063,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           655,063,000
<CGS>                                      489,460,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              489,460,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,166,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,409,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             45,957,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                17,890,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         28,067,000
<DISCONTINUED>                             (5,244,000)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                22,823,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0