<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FILED AS PART OF
THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           2,872
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,158
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,194
<INVENTORY>                                    144,632
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               224,978
<PP&E>                                         118,793
<DEPRECIATION>                                  56,032
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 289,346
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           55,625
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           856
<OTHER-SE>                                     167,488
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   289,346
<SALES>                                        209,258
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               209,258
<CGS>                                          152,073
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  152,073
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (171)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,649
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,167
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,579
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,588
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,588
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.30