<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE REGISTRANT'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JULY 31,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                       MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                         JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                                     3,204
<SECURITIES>                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            146,354
<ALLOWANCES>                                               6,627
<INVENTORY>                                              112,412
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                         268,216
<PP&E>                                                   157,213
<DEPRECIATION>                                            55,958
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           442,549
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    132,650
<BONDS>                                                   79,219
<COMMON>                                                   1,607
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                                               152,666
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             442,549
<SALES>                                                  124,794
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                         124,794
<CGS>                                                     64,409
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                             53,144
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                         2,020
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                            5,221
<INCOME-TAX>                                               1,951
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                        3,270
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                               3,270
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                               0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                               0.20