<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                      24,650,000
<SECURITIES>                                 2,367,000
<RECEIVABLES>                              119,260,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 4,977,000
<INVENTORY>                                 69,597,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           226,337,000
<PP&E>                                     104,782,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              47,472,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             313,878,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       97,671,000
<BONDS>                                     37,419,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    393,000
<COMMON>                                     7,326,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 169,799,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               313,878,000
<SALES>                                    181,744,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           181,744,000
<CGS>                                      135,761,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              135,761,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               522,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             775,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             12,328,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,808,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          7,520,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 7,520,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0