<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed
consolidated financial statements for the period ended March 31, 1999 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                      18,502,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              182,306,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 9,592,000
<INVENTORY>                                 96,838,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           310,571,000
<PP&E>                                     203,119,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              71,234,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             510,615,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      128,030,000
<BONDS>                                    135,364,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,933,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 227,551,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               510,615,000
<SALES>                                    494,917,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           494,917,000
<CGS>                                      382,466,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              382,466,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,223,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,551,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              7,446,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,755,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          4,691,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,691,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .15