<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
THE REGISTRANT'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 31,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                          3,052
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                 164,781
<ALLOWANCES>                                    4,407
<INVENTORY>                                   114,289
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              294,311 
<PP&E>                                        176,336
<DEPRECIATION>                                 67,761
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                458,652
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         135,059
<BONDS>                                        46,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                        1,775
<OTHER-SE>                                    200,419
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  458,652
<SALES>                                       424,360 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              424,360
<CGS>                                         212,366         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 176,708 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              4,690
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                30,596
<INCOME-TAX>                                   12,025
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            18,571
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                   18,571
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    1.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.01