<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                   1.00
<CASH>                                          23,763
<SECURITIES>                                    93,727
<RECEIVABLES>                                  165,894
<ALLOWANCES>                                    20,248
<INVENTORY>                                    113,343
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               402,590
<PP&E>                                         194,603
<DEPRECIATION>                                 106,697
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 530,990
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          121,281
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        11,769
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     298,004
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   530,990
<SALES>                                        386,577
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               386,577
<CGS>                                          204,402
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  204,402
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               150,848
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    62
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (608)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,873
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,082
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,791
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,791
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.29