<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>                6-MOS
   <FISCAL-YEAR-END>            APR-30-2000
   <PERIOD-START>               MAY-01-1999
   <PERIOD-END>                 OCT-31-1999
   <EXCHANGE-RATE>                  1.00000
   <CASH>                            34,161
   <SECURITIES>                       6,024
   <RECEIVABLES>                    164,125
   <ALLOWANCES>                      18,582
   <INVENTORY>                       89,157
   <CURRENT-ASSETS>                 304,909
   <PP&E>                           193,002
   <DEPRECIATION>                   118,419
   <TOTAL-ASSETS>                   429,810
   <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>             97,927
   <BONDS>                                0
   <COMMON>                          11,769
   <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                  0
   <PREFERRED>                            0
   <OTHER-SE>                       201,221
   <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>     429,810
   <SALES>                          365,579
   <TOTAL-REVENUES>                 365,579
   <CGS>                            194,334
   <TOTAL-COSTS>                    338,861
   <OTHER-EXPENSES>                     903
   <LOSS-PROVISION>                       0
   <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                 1,444
   <INCOME-PRETAX>                   24,371
   <INCOME-TAX>                      10,026
   <INCOME-CONTINUING>               14,345
   <DISCONTINUED>                    (4,168)
   <EXTRAORDINARY>                        0
   <CHANGES>                              0
   <NET-INCOME>                      10,177
   <EPS-BASIC>                       1.88
   <EPS-DILUTED>                       1.88