WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE. Exhibit 27 Financial Data The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 1996 and the Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the six months ended September 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. <ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 148,979,000 <SECURITIES> 9,985,000 <RECEIVABLES> 98,059,000 <ALLOWANCES> 10,506,000 <INVENTORY> 100,422,000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 361,735,000 <PP&E> 187,668,000 <DEPRECIATION> 57,360,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 764,888,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 70,523,000 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 61,295,000 <OTHER-SE> 576,517,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 764,888,000 <SALES> 207,524,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 207,524,000 <CGS> 119,615,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 119,615,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 61,502,000 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 425,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 44,213,000 <INCOME-TAX> 12,854,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 31,359,000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 31,359,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> .26 <EPS-DILUTED> .26