<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF 10/31/97 AND STATEMENT
OF INCOME FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 10/31/97 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                            2915
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    45716
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1675
<INVENTORY>                                      40263
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 95658
<PP&E>                                           54487
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  167288
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            44355
<BONDS>                                          17816
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            66
<OTHER-SE>                                       90799
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    167288
<SALES>                                         230102
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                230102
<CGS>                                           170989
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   170989
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  6358
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1041
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  22328
<INCOME-TAX>                                      8170
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              14158
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     14158
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.25