<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED APRIL 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,936
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,849
<ALLOWANCES>                                       503
<INVENTORY>                                     22,652
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                84,430
<PP&E>                                          61,521
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,478
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 120,741
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           29,363
<BONDS>                                          7,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              107
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,094
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   120,741
<SALES>                                         53,989
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                53,989
<CGS>                                           41,708
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   41,708
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,335
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  30
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,916
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,602
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,314
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,314
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.31