<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                             594
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,510
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,981
<INVENTORY>                                     42,215
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               115,260
<PP&E>                                          26,010
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,676
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 157,120
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,899
<BONDS>                                         85,414
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            78
<OTHER-SE>                                      45,729
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   157,120
<SALES>                                         93,925
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                93,925
<CGS>                                           65,143
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   65,143
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                20,094
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,095
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,522
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,446
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,076
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,076
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52