<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 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>                             AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                           5,370
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  153,658
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,947
<INVENTORY>                                    113,131
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               278,593
<PP&E>                                         159,639
<DEPRECIATION>                                  59,730
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 449,063
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          142,545
<BONDS>                                         78,961
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,612
<OTHER-SE>                                     150,942
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   449,063
<SALES>                                        136,908
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               136,908
<CGS>                                           70,598
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   55,650
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,169
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,491
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,275
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,216
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,216
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.32