<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          47,569
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   73,330
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,000
<INVENTORY>                                     45,408
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               178,177
<PP&E>                                          68,403
<DEPRECIATION>                                  43,225
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 263,777
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           69,195
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,721
<OTHER-SE>                                     187,651
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   263,777
<SALES>                                        353,314
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               353,314
<CGS>                                          116,780
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  151,714
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               149,439
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 945
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 54,160
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,933
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,227
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    32,227
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.85