<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 29, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-29-1997 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 123 <RECEIVABLES> 10,650 <ALLOWANCES> (3,300) <INVENTORY> 16,714 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 25,232 <PP&E> 46,102 <DEPRECIATION> (21,122) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 74,236 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 14,635 <BONDS> 1,239 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 187 <OTHER-SE> 57,456 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 74,236 <SALES> 24,252 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 24,501 <CGS> 23,494 <TOTAL-COSTS> 10,095 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> (28) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 218 <INCOME-PRETAX> (9,334) <INCOME-TAX> 410 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (9,744) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (9,744) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.52) <EPS-DILUTED> (.52)