<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF INCOME AS OF
APRIL 30, 1999 AND THE NINE MONTH PERIOD THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999
<CASH>                                          10,249
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  121,897
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,426
<INVENTORY>                                    144,983
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               295,377
<PP&E>                                         251,636
<DEPRECIATION>                                  50,827
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 581,084
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          134,819
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           308
<OTHER-SE>                                     238,692
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   581,084
<SALES>                                        500,131
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               500,131
<CGS>                                          353,003
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  445,266
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,335
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,842
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,668
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,635
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,053
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,053
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.89