<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> AUG-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1998 <CASH> 45,045 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 74,888 <ALLOWANCES> (3,619) <INVENTORY> 54,836 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 189,415 <PP&E> 71,674 <DEPRECIATION> (31,763) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 254,120 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 138,077 <BONDS> 128,316 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 184 <OTHER-SE> (14,186) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 254,120 <SALES> 120,512 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 120,512 <CGS> 83,251 <TOTAL-COSTS> 83,251 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 20,238 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,567 <INCOME-PRETAX> 13,456 <INCOME-TAX> 4,815 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,617 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 1,374 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,243 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.40 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.36