<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF 10/31/96 AND STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED 10/31/96 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                            1319
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    44382
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1462
<INVENTORY>                                      41363
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 92982
<PP&E>                                           50532
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  160222
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            45460
<BONDS>                                          32154
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            65
<OTHER-SE>                                       70346
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    160222
<SALES>                                         210753
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                210753
<CGS>                                           162089
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   162089
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  6115
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 941
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  16073
<INCOME-TAX>                                      5647
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              10426
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     10426
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.60