<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S 
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                          8,992
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                 113,904
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                    63,486
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                6,499 
<PP&E>                                        163,878
<DEPRECIATION>                               (38,769)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                792,769
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         104,385
<BONDS>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                          252
<OTHER-SE>                                    320,709
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  792,769
<SALES>                                       354,254 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              354,254
<CGS>                                         202,441
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 202,441
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              5,277
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                49,083
<INCOME-TAX>                                   27,092
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            21,326
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (422)
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                   20,904
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .89