<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1997 <CASH> 882 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 58,887 <ALLOWANCES> 1,458 <INVENTORY> 36,517 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 98,667 <PP&E> 21,622 <DEPRECIATION> 12,941 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 131,488 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 19,301 <BONDS> 73,404 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 77 <OTHER-SE> 38,706 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 131,488 <SALES> 81,118 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 81,118 <CGS> 55,244 <TOTAL-COSTS> 55,244 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 17,400 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,686 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,690 <INCOME-TAX> 2,509 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,181 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,181 <EPS-PRIMARY> .54 <EPS-DILUTED> .54