<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 38,023 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 74,370 <ALLOWANCES> 1,730 <INVENTORY> 44,609 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 170,569 <PP&E> 69,895 <DEPRECIATION> 44,187 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 306,244 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 91,458 <BONDS> 543,257 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> (333,256) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 306,244 <SALES> 232,744 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 232,744 <CGS> 74,837 <TOTAL-COSTS> 98,819 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 145,112 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19,981 <INCOME-PRETAX> (13,248) <INCOME-TAX> (4,976) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (8,272) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (8,272) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.09) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.09)