<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE REGISTRANT'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 <CASH> $ 29,150,118 <SECURITIES> 1,321,226 <RECEIVABLES> 47,286,580 <ALLOWANCES> (2,467,619) <INVENTORY> 16,849,446 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 94,832,790 <PP&E> 94,107,498 <DEPRECIATION> (45,640,252) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 220,665,450 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 46,832,142 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 18,166,996 <OTHER-SE> 108,688,713 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 220,665,450 <SALES> 262,364,902 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 262,364,902 <CGS> 144,276,094 <TOTAL-COSTS> 144,276,094 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,487,883 <INCOME-PRETAX> 45,938,350 <INCOME-TAX> 18,015,431 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 27,922,919 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 27,912,919 <EPS-BASIC> 1.80 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.76