<ARTICLE> 5

<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                  AUG-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                    OCT-31-1995
<CASH>                          5,776
<SECURITIES>                    0
<RECEIVABLES>                   29,370
<ALLOWANCES>                    2,354
<INVENTORY>                     53,619
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                89,992
<PP&E>                          99,711
<DEPRECIATION>                  54,889
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  183,559
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           64,903
<BONDS>                         125,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>           0
<PREFERRED>                     0
<COMMON>                        83
<OTHER-SE>                      0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    183,559
<SALES>                         44,872
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                44,872
<CGS>                           35,292
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   40,965
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                (181)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                363
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>              4,266
<INCOME-PRETAX>                 (178)
<INCOME-TAX>                    (363)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>             (541)
<DISCONTINUED>                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                 0
<CHANGES>                       0
<NET-INCOME>                    (541)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                   (.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                   (.07)