<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT AS OF AND FOR YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<CASH>                                           5,063
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  163,626
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,283
<INVENTORY>                                    109,003
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               289,814
<PP&E>                                         175,885
<DEPRECIATION>                                  62,181
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 459,360
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          127,587
<BONDS>                                         37,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,791
<OTHER-SE>                                     212,525
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   459,360
<SALES>                                        578,260
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               578,260
<CGS>                                          287,641
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  287,641
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               240,535
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    89
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,982
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,013
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,374
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,639
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,639
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.46