<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed
consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 30, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                      10,060,000
<SECURITIES>                                 1,379,000
<RECEIVABLES>                              121,647,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,643,000
<INVENTORY>                                 73,561,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           213,390,000
<PP&E>                                     121,204,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              52,417,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             312,499,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       97,062,000
<BONDS>                                     25,902,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,732,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 180,724,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               312,499,000
<SALES>                                    535,671,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           535,671,000
<CGS>                                      398,591,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              398,591,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,124,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,061,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             33,384,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                12,599,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         20,785,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                20,785,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0