<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF 7/31/96 AND STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED 7/31/96 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                            3024
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    39865
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1429
<INVENTORY>                                      41764
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 92012
<PP&E>                                           49061
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  157942
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            40010
<BONDS>                                          29752
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            65
<OTHER-SE>                                       75473
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    157942
<SALES>                                         134177
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                134177
<CGS>                                           103775
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   103775
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  4036
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 553
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   9590
<INCOME-TAX>                                      3294
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               6296
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      6296
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .96