<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FILED AS PART OF
THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          14,427
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,400
<ALLOWANCES>                                       934
<INVENTORY>                                    111,633
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               190,665
<PP&E>                                         127,924
<DEPRECIATION>                                  62,468
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 258,615
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           66,202
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           856
<OTHER-SE>                                     162,581
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   258,615
<SALES>                                        104,157
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               104,157
<CGS>                                           73,419
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   73,419
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    32
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 977
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,295
<INCOME-TAX>                                       912
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,383
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,383
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.16