<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1998
<CASH>                                          34,472
<SECURITIES>                                     4,647
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,110
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,090)
<INVENTORY>                                     37,173
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               132,302
<PP&E>                                          30,372
<DEPRECIATION>                                (12,432)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 155,925
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,826
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           197
<OTHER-SE>                                     117,762
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   155,925
<SALES>                                        150,558
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               150,558
<CGS>                                           93,130
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   93,130
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                72,848<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   790
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              24,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (14,953)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,980)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (12,973)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (12,973)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.66)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.66)
<FN>
<F1>Other expenses include $8,417 of acquired in-process research and
development costs and $8,953 of merger costs and special charges.
</FN>