<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MAY 31,1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997 <CASH> 1,216 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 36,941 <ALLOWANCES> 1,414 <INVENTORY> 31,332 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 71,668 <PP&E> 22,017 <DEPRECIATION> 13,200 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 103,341 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 16,288 <BONDS> 46,204 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 77 <OTHER-SE> 40,772 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 103,341 <SALES> 120,977 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 120,977 <CGS> 82,518 <TOTAL-COSTS> 82,518 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 25,862 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,550 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,896 <INCOME-TAX> 3,711 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,185 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,185 <EPS-PRIMARY> .80 <EPS-DILUTED> .80