<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