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