<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-2000 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> OCT-30-1999 <CASH> 299 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 104,704 <ALLOWANCES> 3,290 <INVENTORY> 18,861 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 183,192 <PP&E> 103,136 <DEPRECIATION> 56,032 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 314,624 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 99,974 <BONDS> 105,511 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,092 <OTHER-SE> 97,888 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 314,624 <SALES> 86,628 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 232,448 <CGS> 68,248 <TOTAL-COSTS> 170,880 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 72,387 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,816 <INCOME-PRETAX> (13,635) <INCOME-TAX> (2,302) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (11,333) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (11,333) <EPS-BASIC> (1.06) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.06)