<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                              MAY-1-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-27-1996
<CASH>                                           2,566
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,833
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,297
<INVENTORY>                                     11,892
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               103,052
<PP&E>                                          73,054
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,541
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 168,044
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           66,276
<BONDS>                                         28,668
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              433
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      63,909
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   168,044
<SALES>                                        129,112
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               232,737
<CGS>                                           96,001
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  166,831
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                54,950
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,165
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,791
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,916
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,875
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,875
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.31