<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           1,588
<SECURITIES>                                    17,891
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,507
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (392)
<INVENTORY>                                      5,409
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,495
<PP&E>                                          16,089
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (6,195)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  82,111
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,560
<BONDS>                                          7,536
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      1,650
<COMMON>                                         3,707
<OTHER-SE>                                      35,515 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    82,111
<SALES>                                         39,990
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                39,990
<CGS>                                           33,367
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,303
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 714
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,621
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,388
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,233
<DISCONTINUED>                                     464
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,697
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     5.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     5.16