<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>