<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from SEC Form 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996 <CASH> 560 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 67029 <ALLOWANCES> 379 <INVENTORY> 41460 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 111940 <PP&E> 75507 <DEPRECIATION> 20449 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 179660 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 75966 <BONDS> 34060 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 45 <COMMON> 2113 <OTHER-SE> 67183 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 179660 <SALES> 153271 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 153271 <CGS> 97477 <TOTAL-COSTS> 97477 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2418 <INCOME-PRETAX> 23729 <INCOME-TAX> 8453 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 15276 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 15237 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.70 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.69