<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS, STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                          11,335
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   57,397
<ALLOWANCES>                                       696
<INVENTORY>                                    106,765
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               175,553
<PP&E>                                         108,894
<DEPRECIATION>                                  26,465
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 274,784
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           69,559
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           615
<OTHER-SE>                                     171,328
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   274,784
<SALES>                                        346,411
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               346,411
<CGS>                                          154,894
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  154,894
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               142,726
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   648
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,734
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,494
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,138
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,356
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,110
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.91