<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FILED AS PART OF
THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           4,765
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   46,791
<ALLOWANCES>                                       967
<INVENTORY>                                    114,828
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               183,588
<PP&E>                                         121,211
<DEPRECIATION>                                  55,233
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 250,111
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           60,057
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           856
<OTHER-SE>                                     161,096
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   250,111
<SALES>                                        290,761
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               290,761
<CGS>                                          207,095
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   83,831
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (2,556)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,563
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (172)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (69)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (103)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (103)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.01)