<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997
<CASH>                                          56,803
<SECURITIES>                                    34,673
<RECEIVABLES>                                   63,967
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,077
<INVENTORY>                                     69,937
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               252,080
<PP&E>                                          39,313
<DEPRECIATION>                                (11,912)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 283,392
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           98,666
<BONDS>                                          5,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           213
<OTHER-SE>                                     170,361
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   283,392
<SALES>                                         81,711
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                98,567
<CGS>                                           39,275
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   52,469
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,596<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 510
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 20,628
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,973
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,570
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,570
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.68
<FN>
<F1>EXCLUDES SG&A AS SG&A IS PART OF 5-03(b)(4).
</FN>