<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
THE REGISTRANT'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                          4,761
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                 159,052
<ALLOWANCES>                                    4,633
<INVENTORY>                                   118,807
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              293,872 
<PP&E>                                        171,405
<DEPRECIATION>                                 64,883
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                462,001
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         138,881
<BONDS>                                        52,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                        1,775
<OTHER-SE>                                    194,692
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  462,001
<SALES>                                       280,637 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              280,637
<CGS>                                         138,563         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 119,568 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              3,209
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                19,297
<INCOME-TAX>                                    8,298
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            10,999
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                   10,999
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.62