<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                             649
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   78,752
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     50,199
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               131,890
<PP&E>                                          63,002
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,607
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 329,320
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           44,936
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           309
<OTHER-SE>                                     177,560
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   329,320
<SALES>                                        298,236
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               298,514
<CGS>                                          144,847
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  144,847
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,048
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 55,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,750
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             36,350
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    36,350
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.16<F1>
<FN>
<F1>SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</FN>