<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, 
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                            MAY-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                          5,012
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                 172,026
<ALLOWANCES>                                    4,660
<INVENTORY>                                   110,926
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              300,935 
<PP&E>                                        180,967
<DEPRECIATION>                                 65,948
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                467,217
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         135,159
<BONDS>                                        30,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                        1,794
<OTHER-SE>                                    218,932
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  467,217
<SALES>                                       143,599 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              143,599
<CGS>                                          72,396         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  60,821 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              1,335
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 9,047
<INCOME-TAX>                                    3,443
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             5,604
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    5,604
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.30