<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
THE REGISTRANT'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              JUL-31-1997
<CASH>                                          4,797
<SECURITIES>                                        0 
<RECEIVABLES>                                 143,935 
<ALLOWANCES>                                    4,237 
<INVENTORY>                                   120,005 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              278,493       
<PP&E>                                        163,655      
<DEPRECIATION>                                 62,531    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                440,753      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         131,997    
<BONDS>                                        52,500  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                         0 
<COMMON>                                        1,768 
<OTHER-SE>                                    185,086       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  440,753         
<SALES>                                       132,069          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              132,069          
<CGS>                                          64,261          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  58,472          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              1,565       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 7,771       
<INCOME-TAX>                                    3,470      
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             4,301      
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0      
<CHANGES>                                           0  
<NET-INCOME>                                    4,301 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.24 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.24