<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