<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          12,941
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  117,498
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,277
<INVENTORY>                                    116,531
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               274,127
<PP&E>                                         156,945
<DEPRECIATION>                                 119,859
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 909,666
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          124,264
<BONDS>                                        462,128
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           467
<OTHER-SE>                                     251,282
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   909,666
<SALES>                                        317,713
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               317,713
<CGS>                                          160,483
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   99,469
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   227
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,265
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,269
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,007
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,262
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,262
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .47