<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          11,743
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  152,684
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    107,176
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               299,988
<PP&E>                                         137,563
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 505,083
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           99,027
<BONDS>                                        249,927
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        100
<COMMON>                                        56,736
<OTHER-SE>                                      51,519
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   505,083
<SALES>                                        103,850
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               104,369
<CGS>                                           70,799
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   70,799
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,468
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,357
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,226
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,267
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,959
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,959
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0