<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed
consolidated financial statements for the period ended March 31, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                       5,081,000
<SECURITIES>                                   383,000
<RECEIVABLES>                              150,425,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 7,493,000
<INVENTORY>                                 89,640,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           258,068,000
<PP&E>                                     149,843,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              59,575,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             394,004,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      117,490,000
<BONDS>                                     59,499,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,850,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 206,878,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               394,004,000
<SALES>                                    428,890,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           428,890,000
<CGS>                                      322,206,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              322,206,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               927,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,009,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             18,465,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 6,832,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         11,633,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                11,633,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .37