<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>            THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                    EXTRACTED FROM THE STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
                    POSITION AND CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS INCLUDED IN PART I OF
                    THIS REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
                    BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
                                                                     
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                    DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         9-MOS
<CASH>                                                               13,507
<SECURITIES>                                                         16,225
<RECEIVABLES>                                                       105,204
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                                         108,133
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                    283,821
<PP&E>                                                              152,282
<DEPRECIATION>                                                       92,468
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      411,467
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                               130,506
<BONDS>                                                               8,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<COMMON>                                                              6,285
<OTHER-SE>                                                          222,314
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        411,467
<SALES>                                                             372,123
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                          0
<CGS>                                                               281,528
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                             0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                    3,331
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                      20,038
<INCOME-TAX>                                                          7,820
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                         12,218
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                           .99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             0