<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997 <CASH> 4,654 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 36,946 <ALLOWANCES> 1,372 <INVENTORY> 40,191 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 87,000 <PP&E> 64,022 <DEPRECIATION> 35,567 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 134,847 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 22,396 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 149 <OTHER-SE> 62,614 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 134,847 <SALES> 96,598 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 121,913 <CGS> 56,393 <TOTAL-COSTS> 110,927 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (332) <LOSS-PROVISION> 186 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,914 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,404 <INCOME-TAX> 2,436 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,968 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,968 <EPS-PRIMARY> .40 <EPS-DILUTED> .40