WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE. <ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE REGISTRANT'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 6,126 4,059 <SECURITIES> 0 3,000 <RECEIVABLES> 22,889 27,334 <ALLOWANCES> 2,023 2,054 <INVENTORY> 19,308 18,202 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 51,993 57,241 <PP&E> 19,008 23,630 <DEPRECIATION> 6,814 8,857 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 68,852 79,963 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 30,530 38,477 <BONDS> 5,073 113,995 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 11 49 <OTHER-SE> 5,637 43,748 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 68,852 79,963 <SALES> 150,993 118,700 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 150,993 118,700 <CGS> 72,364 55,479 <TOTAL-COSTS> 134,922 109,966 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,036 861 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,542 252 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 762 948 <INCOME-PRETAX> 14,440 7,179 <INCOME-TAX> 965 2,728 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,475 4,451 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 13,475 4,451 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.17 0.40 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.17 0.40