<ARTICLE>                                    5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
AND  IS   QUALIFIED   IN  ITS   ENTIRETY   BY   REFERENCE   TO  SUCH   FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.</LEGEND>


<MULTIPLIER>                                         1,000

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                        6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    MAR-31-2001
<PERIOD-START>                                       APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                         SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                               269,416
<SECURITIES>                                         55,002
<RECEIVABLES>                                        74,639
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          61,132
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     471,714
<PP&E>                                               201,689
<DEPRECIATION>                                       33,973
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       697,543
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                48,252
<BONDS>                                              297,737
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             233,669
<OTHER-SE>                                           110,558
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         697,543
<SALES>                                              200,426
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     200,426
<CGS>                                                97,988
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        148,888
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   2,267
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      53,905
<INCOME-TAX>                                         19,930
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  33,975
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                         33,975
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0.20

<FN>
On August 25, 2000 the Company  effected a two-for-one  stock split in the form
of a 100% share  dividend  payable to shareholders of record on August 8, 2000.
Prior Financial Data Schedules have not been restated for this stock split.
</FN>