<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                           3,502
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   42,314
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,355
<INVENTORY>                                     36,986
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                88,299
<PP&E>                                          61,735
<DEPRECIATION>                                  34,203
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 134,135
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,725
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           149
<OTHER-SE>                                      61,879
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   134,135
<SALES>                                         64,655
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                82,252
<CGS>                                           37,523
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   74,149
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (135)<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   169
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,052
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,557
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,901
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,656
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,656
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31
<FN>
<F1>This is income
</FN>