<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the registrant's financial statements as of and for year ended April 30, 1996 
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000                     
       
                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                           2,890
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  144,885
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,430
<INVENTORY>                                    106,168
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               260,960      
<PP&E>                                         150,602     
<DEPRECIATION>                                  53,826   
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 431,718     
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          127,763   
<BONDS>                                         81,254 
<COMMON>                                         1,606
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     146,319      
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   431,718        
<SALES>                                        416,293         
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               416,293         
<CGS>                                          214,947         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  214,947         
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               213,123      
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   817     
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,386      
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (16,980)      
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,888     
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (24,868)     
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0     
<CHANGES>                                            0 
<NET-INCOME>                                  (24,868)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.53)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.53)