<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1999 NOV-30-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1999 MAY-31-1998 <CASH> 12,133 6,078 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 132,144 129,258 <ALLOWANCES> 0 0 <INVENTORY> 105,643 125,993 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 265,836 274,353 <PP&E> 150,760 161,288 <DEPRECIATION> 0 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 485,580 498,013 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 116,552 101,907 <BONDS> 0 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 13,007 12,969 <OTHER-SE> 153,429 138,393 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 485,580 498,013 <SALES> 272,367 239,500 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 272,367 239,500 <CGS> 201,927 178,972 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 59,303 54,644 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,025 6,058 <INCOME-PRETAX> 10,329 5,461 <INCOME-TAX> 3,305 1,911 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,024 3,550 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,024 3,550 <EPS-BASIC> 1.75 0.89 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.75 0.86