<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Statements of Income, Balance Sheets, and Statements of Cash Flows and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1997
<CASH>                                          48,561<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,491
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     21,469
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               122,786
<PP&E>                                         113,630
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,624
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 204,410
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           44,862
<BONDS>                                          4,372
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           110
<OTHER-SE>                                      87,268
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   204,410
<SALES>                                        237,997
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               237,997
<CGS>                                          199,849
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  199,849
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                20,248
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,027
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,678
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,222
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,222
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.06
<FN>
<F1>The higher July 31, 1997 cash balance reflects borrowing to fund the August 1,
1997 acquisition of Syntech S.p.A., a privately-owned Italian-based liquid and
powder resins company.
</FN>