<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed
consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 31, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      12,673,000
<SECURITIES>                                   382,000
<RECEIVABLES>                              149,964,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 7,068,000
<INVENTORY>                                 83,072,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           255,216,000
<PP&E>                                     133,498,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              56,536,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             378,615,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      117,771,000
<BONDS>                                     48,747,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,838,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 203,187,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               378,615,000
<SALES>                                    229,031,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           229,031,000
<CGS>                                      171,108,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              171,108,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               403,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             965,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             13,516,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 5,001,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          8,515,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 8,515,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .27