<ARTICLE> 5 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 1,251 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 45,354 <ALLOWANCES> 2,666 <INVENTORY> 36,644 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 91,118 <PP&E> 26,635 <DEPRECIATION> 13,655 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 177,687 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 40,174 <BONDS> 8,051 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 17 <OTHER-SE> 117,658 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 117,687 <SALES> 68,184 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 68,184 <CGS> 33,443 <TOTAL-COSTS> 33,443 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (184) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 593 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,823 <INCOME-TAX> 5,082 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,741 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,741 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.46 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.44