<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 19,231 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 70,135 <ALLOWANCES> 1,742 <INVENTORY> 36,276 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 130,382 <PP&E> 101,163 <DEPRECIATION> 53,073 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 187,396 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 60,834 <BONDS> 11,780 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,293 <OTHER-SE> 110,521 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 187,396 <SALES> 261,029 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 261,029 <CGS> 154,925 <TOTAL-COSTS> 241,023 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 330 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,524 <INCOME-PRETAX> 20,006 <INCOME-TAX> 5,897 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 20,006 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 14,109 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.48 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.48