<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                             423
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   50,659
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     31,133
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,298
<PP&E>                                          50,646
<DEPRECIATION>                                  26,687
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 242,953
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           39,506
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           152
<OTHER-SE>                                     137,244
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   242,953
<SALES>                                        225,651
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               225,901
<CGS>                                          109,727
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  109,727
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,282
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,240
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,383
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,857
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,857
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.87<F1>
<FN>
<F1>See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
</FN>