<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          35,205
<SECURITIES>                                    57,606
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,828
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,395
<INVENTORY>                                     45,028
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               195,604
<PP&E>                                          76,514
<DEPRECIATION>                                  26,609
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 255,920
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           55,731
<BONDS>                                         86,842
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           170
<OTHER-SE>                                     113,177
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   255,920
<SALES>                                         88,868
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                88,868
<CGS>                                           67,805
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   67,805
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,902
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   265
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (122)<F1>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,039
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,865
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,174
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,174
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $0.47
<FN>
<F1>Interest expense is net of interest income, the net amount is an interest
income.
</FN>