<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           9,757
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  148,787
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,020
<INVENTORY>                                    100,676
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               291,170
<PP&E>                                         228,865
<DEPRECIATION>                                 116,968
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 569,016
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          186,480
<BONDS>                                        317,630
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           571
<OTHER-SE>                                      80,125
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   569,016
<SALES>                                        703,933
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               703,933
<CGS>                                          358,226
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  358,226
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               256,546
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   583
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,626
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 57,952
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,602
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             38,350
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    38,350
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.32