<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> NOV-02-1996 <CASH> 2,504 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 71,043 <ALLOWANCES> 1,412 <INVENTORY> 11,300 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 121,908 <PP&E> 90,210 <DEPRECIATION> 49,077 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 210,050 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 80,483 <BONDS> 46,420 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 923 <OTHER-SE> 74,328 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 210,050 <SALES> 96,088 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 187,884 <CGS> 70,425 <TOTAL-COSTS> 135,448 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 44,144 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 761 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,531 <INCOME-TAX> 3,163 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,368 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,368 <EPS-PRIMARY> .47 <EPS-DILUTED> .47