<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