<ARTICLE> 5
        <MULTIPLIER> 1,000
        <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
               
                                     
        <PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
        <FISCAL-YEAR-END>               APR-30-1998
        <PERIOD-START>                  MAY-01-1997
        <PERIOD-END>                    OCT-31-1997
        <EXCHANGE-RATE>                     1.0
        <CASH>                            9,981
        <SECURITIES>                     77,502
        <RECEIVABLES>                   162,345
        <ALLOWANCES>                     18,060
        <INVENTORY>                     116,438
        <CURRENT-ASSETS>                377,282
        <PP&E>                          204,451
        <DEPRECIATION>                  116,528
        <TOTAL-ASSETS>                  508,690
        <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           108,973
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        <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                 0
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        <COMMON>                         11,769
        <OTHER-SE>                      277,790
        <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    508,690
        <SALES>                         391,617
        <TOTAL-REVENUES>                391,617
        <CGS>                           211,767
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        <OTHER-EXPENSES>                  1,041
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        <EPS-DILUTED>                      2.20