<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                          11,143
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  121,260
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,995
<INVENTORY>                                    130,307
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               276,545
<PP&E>                                         201,397
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,506
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 503,560
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          101,869
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           307
<OTHER-SE>                                     244,591
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   503,560
<SALES>                                        651,668
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               651,668
<CGS>                                          460,059
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  578,214
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (922)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,560
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 65,816
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,335
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,481
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,481
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.29