<ARTICLE>             5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                          16,571
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   68,372
<ALLOWANCES>                                       943
<INVENTORY>                                     46,780
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               163,304
<PP&E>                                         188,227
<DEPRECIATION>                                  86,057
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 311,891
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           56,207
<BONDS>                                         12,818
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           290
<OTHER-SE>                                     233,194
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   311,891
<SALES>                                        226,482
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               226,482
<CGS>                                          106,174
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  106,174
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,338
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,281
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 38,587
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,496
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,091
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,091
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .91