<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-01-1997 <CASH> 740 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 76,749 <ALLOWANCES> 1,412 <INVENTORY> 9,736 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 120,163 <PP&E> 87,840 <DEPRECIATION> 44,828 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 210,862 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 80,725 <BONDS> 40,616 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 936 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 78,802 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 210,862 <SALES> 140,864 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 281,959 <CGS> 103,585 <TOTAL-COSTS> 203,462 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 65,090 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,332 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,075 <INCOME-TAX> 4,992 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,083 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,083 <EPS-PRIMARY> .75 <EPS-DILUTED> .75