<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           2,864
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   42,390
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,194
<INVENTORY>                                    144,814
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               201,501
<PP&E>                                         121,481
<DEPRECIATION>                                  57,883
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 266,857
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,518
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           856
<OTHER-SE>                                     168,143
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   266,857
<SALES>                                        313,027
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               313,027
<CGS>                                          226,910
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  226,910
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (128)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,124
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,929
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,259
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,670
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,670
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.43