<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1999
<CASH>                                           6,359
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  265,570
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     22,144
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               335,886
<PP&E>                                          84,414
<DEPRECIATION>                                  55,972
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 513,987
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          167,920
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      6,400
<COMMON>                                           218
<OTHER-SE>                                     246,420
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   513,987
<SALES>                                        391,831
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               391,831
<CGS>                                          341,676
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  341,676
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 554
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,812
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,843
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,969
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,969
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.29