<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 10,285 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 96,686 <ALLOWANCES> 2,010 <INVENTORY> 43,591 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 152,805 <PP&E> 108,303 <DEPRECIATION> 57,884 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 216,132 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 79,479 <BONDS> 8,509 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,284 <OTHER-SE> 122,335 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 216,132 <SALES> 303,480 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 303,480 <CGS> 181,977 <TOTAL-COSTS> 270,768 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,010 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,531 <INCOME-PRETAX> 32,712 <INCOME-TAX> 11,849 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 32,712 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 20,863 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.20 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.20