<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997             APR-30-1996<F1>
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996             MAY-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996             JUL-31-1995
<CASH>                                           1,398                   3,436
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   73,763                  74,864
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,818                   8,983
<INVENTORY>                                     29,619                  27,796
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               102,233                 104,578
<PP&E>                                          47,810                  47,060
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,999                  13,909
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 155,149                 159,251
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,020                  37,631
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            50                      50
<OTHER-SE>                                     101,930                 101,485
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   155,149                 159,251
<SALES>                                         62,659                  57,468
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                66,273                  61,255
<CGS>                                           42,298                  37,541
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   64,980                  58,452
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 513                     111
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    780                   2,692
<INCOME-TAX>                                       335                   1,158
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                445                   1,534
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       445                   1,534
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09                     .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .09                     .31
<FN>
<F1>Balance sheet comparison is to April 30, 1996.
</FN>