<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ON
PAGES 3,4 AND 5 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10(Q) FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDING
OCTOBER 26, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO EACH FINANCIAL
STATEMENT.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-26-1996
<CASH>                                           7,945
<SECURITIES>                                    24,987
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,467
<ALLOWANCES>                                       213
<INVENTORY>                                     12,955
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                60,741
<PP&E>                                          69,454
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,617
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  99,510
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,705
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,623
<OTHER-SE>                                      71,611
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    99,510
<SALES>                                         59,194
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                59,194
<CGS>                                           30,071
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   30,071
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                20,497
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,427
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,252
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,175
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,175
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .54