<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS, THE BALANCE SHEET AND 10-K SCHEDULE II AND EXHIBIT 11
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                              66
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  244,434
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,005
<INVENTORY>                                    130,288
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               405,001
<PP&E>                                         229,080
<DEPRECIATION>                                 155,270
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 496,877
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          207,857
<BONDS>                                         53,365<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,032<F2>
<OTHER-SE>                                     201,535
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   496,877
<SALES>                                        930,909
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               930,909
<CGS>                                          589,186
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  278,284
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (10,331)<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,358
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,590
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 60,180
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,771
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             36,409
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    36,409
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.90
<FN>
<F1>Total Long-Term Debt
<F2>Does not include Additional paid-in capital.
<F3>Other income-net.
</FN>