<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998 <CASH> 862 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 42,395 <ALLOWANCES> 2,043 <INVENTORY> 43,573 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 90,406 <PP&E> 26,667 <DEPRECIATION> 13,756 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 132,532 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 21,655 <BONDS> 66,625 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 78 <OTHER-SE> 44,174 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 132,532 <SALES> 170,604 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 170,604 <CGS> 119,151 <TOTAL-COSTS> 119,151 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 41,464 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,218 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,520 <INCOME-TAX> 1,860 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,660 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,660 <EPS-PRIMARY> .47 <EPS-DILUTED> .47