<ARTICLE>                             5
<MULTIPLIER>                      1,000
       
                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>           APR-26-1997     
<PERIOD-END>                JAN-25-1997
<CASH>                           37,554
<SECURITIES>                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                   177,933
<ALLOWANCES>                          0
<INVENTORY>                      92,185
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                331,496
<PP&E>                          115,167
<DEPRECIATION>                  159,852
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  517,244
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            96,960
<BONDS>                               0
<COMMON>                         17,961
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                 0
<PREFERRED>                           0
<OTHER-SE>                      327,953
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    517,244
<SALES>                         718,362
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                718,362
<CGS>                           532,913
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   532,913
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                136,125
<LOSS-PROVISION>                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                3,300
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  49,229 
<INCOME-TAX>                     19,578
<INCOME-CONTINUING>              29,651
<DISCONTINUED>                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                       0
<CHANGES>                             0
<NET-INCOME>                     29,651
<EPS-PRIMARY>                      1.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                      1.63
<FN>  Receivables are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts on 
the Statement of Financial Position.