<ARTICLE>                   5
   <LEGEND>
   THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND IS
   QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
   </LEGEND>
   <MULTIPLIER>                1,000
   <CURRENCY>                  U.S.
            
                            
   <PERIOD-TYPE>                YEAR
   <FISCAL-YEAR-END>            APR-30-1998
   <PERIOD-START>               MAY-01-1997
   <PERIOD-END>                 APR-30-1998
   <EXCHANGE-RATE>                  1.00000
   <CASH>                            17,139
   <SECURITIES>                     101,626
   <RECEIVABLES>                    156,411
   <ALLOWANCES>                      15,653
   <INVENTORY>                      108,478
   <CURRENT-ASSETS>                 396,534
   <PP&E>                           191,514
   <DEPRECIATION>                   112,353
   <TOTAL-ASSETS>                   519,704
   <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            107,812
   <BONDS>                                0
   <COMMON>                          11,769
   <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                  0
   <PREFERRED>                            0
   <OTHER-SE>                       287,635
   <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>     519,704
   <SALES>                          784,095
   <TOTAL-REVENUES>                 784,095
   <CGS>                            427,304
   <TOTAL-COSTS>                    732,348
   <OTHER-EXPENSES>                  (8,654)
   <LOSS-PROVISION>                       0
   <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                   434
   <INCOME-PRETAX>                   59,967  
   <INCOME-TAX>                      24,272
   <INCOME-CONTINUING>               35,695
   <DISCONTINUED>                         0
   <EXTRAORDINARY>                        0
   <CHANGES>                              0
   <NET-INCOME>                      35,695
   <EPS-PRIMARY>                       4.98
   <EPS-DILUTED>                       4.97