<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF 7/31/97 AND STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED 7/31/97 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1997
<CASH>                                            1190
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    44960
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1658
<INVENTORY>                                      40924
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 93724
<PP&E>                                           51863
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  162426
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            42758
<BONDS>                                          21867
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            66
<OTHER-SE>                                       83449
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    162426
<SALES>                                         148721
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                148721
<CGS>                                           110264
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   110264
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  4202
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 740
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  13939
<INCOME-TAX>                                      5100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               8839
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      8839
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.41