<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended
March 31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                      18,820,000
<SECURITIES>                                 1,379,000
<RECEIVABLES>                              109,819,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,382,000
<INVENTORY>                                 71,235,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           211,803,000
<PP&E>                                     113,215,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              49,938,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             304,183,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       87,793,000
<BONDS>                                     34,985,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,723,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 172,457,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               304,183,000
<SALES>                                    342,551,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           342,551,000
<CGS>                                      256,281,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              256,281,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               793,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,479,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             19,285,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 7,382,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         11,903,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                11,903,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0