<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                       9,676,932
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               38,066,444
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 30,009,443
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            85,067,891
<PP&E>                                      23,297,609
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             119,018,448
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       20,613,512
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       146,887
<OTHER-SE>                                  98,258,049
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               119,018,448
<SALES>                                     82,629,437
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            82,629,437
<CGS>                                       43,694,943
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               39,983,902
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            13,580,952<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (14,404,126)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (2,425,905)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (11,978,221)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (11,978,221)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.90)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.90)
<FN>
<F1>AetherWork loss 3,109,470; Restructuring charge 10,471,482
</FN>