<ARTICLE>                             5
<MULTIPLIER>                      1,000
       
                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                     6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>           APR-25-1998     
<PERIOD-END>                OCT-25-1997
<CASH>                           23,681
<SECURITIES>                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                   216,989
<ALLOWANCES>                          0
<INVENTORY>                      88,921
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                352,413
<PP&E>                          288,909
<DEPRECIATION>                  169,662
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  544,584
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           111,628
<BONDS>                               0
<COMMON>                         17,828
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                 0
<PREFERRED>                           0
<OTHER-SE>                      299,798
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    544,584
<SALES>                         505,534 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                505,534
<CGS>                           379,554
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   379,554
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                 95,757
<LOSS-PROVISION>                      0	
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                2,051
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  30,443 
<INCOME-TAX>                     11,895
<INCOME-CONTINUING>              18,548
<DISCONTINUED>                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                       0
<CHANGES>                             0
<NET-INCOME>                     18,548
<EPS-PRIMARY>                      1.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                      1.04
<FN>  Receivables are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts on 
the Statement of Financial Position.