<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Form 10-Q
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
                                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    3-MOS                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         OCT-31-1996             OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            NOV-01-1996             NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                              JAN-31-1997             JAN-31-1996
<CASH>                                          3,586                   5,244
<SECURITIES>                                        0                       0   
<RECEIVABLES>                                  37,843                  38,077
<ALLOWANCES>                                    1,406                   1,133
<INVENTORY>                                    19,712                  19,149
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               66,429                  68,154
<PP&E>                                         95,366                  96,150 
<DEPRECIATION>                                 48,548                  47,949
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                135,008                 138,756 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          50,285                  56,597
<BONDS>                                             0                       0   
<COMMON>                                           14                      14 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                       0   
<PREFERRED>                                         0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     44,137                  43,134 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  135,008                 138,756
<SALES>                                        44,839                  41,004
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               44,839                  41,004
<CGS>                                          25,638                  25,256
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  40,912                  38,368
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   32                   (106)  
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                591                     101  
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 3,304                   2,641 
<INCOME-TAX>                                    1,239                     790 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             2,065                   1,851 
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                       0
<CHANGES>                                           0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    2,065                   1,851
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .15                     .14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0                       0