<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed
consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 31, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                      16,191,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              177,778,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 8,484,000
<INVENTORY>                                104,116,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           311,005,000
<PP&E>                                     201,833,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              67,019,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             497,072,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      132,170,000
<BONDS>                                    114,003,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,930,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 230,545,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               497,072,000
<SALES>                                    258,557,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           258,557,000
<CGS>                                      196,431,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              196,431,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               447,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,498,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             11,352,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,200,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          7,152,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 7,152,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .23