<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                           5,147
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   77,810
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,783
<INVENTORY>                                      7,636
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               126,840
<PP&E>                                          93,895
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,409
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 224,173
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           89,356
<BONDS>                                         24,043
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           939
<OTHER-SE>                                      83,431
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   224,173
<SALES>                                        202,199
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               398,075
<CGS>                                          149,860
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  289,560
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                89,332
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,866
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,317
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,217
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,217
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.08