<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-2000 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> JAN-29-2000 <CASH> 595 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 83,758 <ALLOWANCES> 3,114 <INVENTORY> 18,761 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 173,361 <PP&E> 103,935 <DEPRECIATION> 59,040 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 299,171 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 97,349 <BONDS> 104,052 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,117 <OTHER-SE> 86,786 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 299,171 <SALES> 120,513 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 324,612 <CGS> 95,283 <TOTAL-COSTS> 244,441 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 106,054 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,570 <INCOME-PRETAX> (30,453) <INCOME-TAX> (7,348) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (23,105) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (23,105) <EPS-BASIC> (2.14) <EPS-DILUTED> (2.14)