<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-2001 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> OCT-28-2000 <CASH> 3,717 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 68,284 <ALLOWANCES> 4,422 <INVENTORY> 9,417 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 132,899 <PP&E> 106,574 <DEPRECIATION> 69,361 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 223,066 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 173,051 <BONDS> 111,968 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,176 <OTHER-SE> 26,963 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 223,066 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 179,643 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 131,958 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 58,878 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,078 <INCOME-PRETAX> (15,271) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (15,271) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (15,271) <EPS-BASIC> (1.38) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.38)