<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF INCOME AS OF
JANUARY 31, 1998 AND THE SIX MONTH PERIOD THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                            6150
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   119134
<ALLOWANCES>                                      4518
<INVENTORY>                                     129085
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                255667
<PP&E>                                          184830
<DEPRECIATION>                                   38652
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  463982
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            90592
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           288
<OTHER-SE>                                      227174
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    463982
<SALES>                                         317782
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                317782
<CGS>                                           225539
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   280600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (1095)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                3831
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  34446
<INCOME-TAX>                                     13070
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              21376
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     21376
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.68