<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997             APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996             MAY-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997             APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                           6,423                   3,436
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   77,185                  74,864
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,104                   8,983
<INVENTORY>                                     28,782                  27,796
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               110,231                 104,578
<PP&E>                                          48,072                  47,060
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,681                  13,909
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 161,222                 159,251
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,724                  37,631
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            50                      50
<OTHER-SE>                                     105,570                 101,485
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   161,222                 159,251
<SALES>                                        251,175                 229,505
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               263,984                 243,541
<CGS>                                          167,430                 152,982
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  254,636                 236,076
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,182                     870
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,166                   6,595
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,081                   2,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,085                   3,895
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,085                   3,895
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .82                     .78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .82                     .78