<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-2000 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-2000 <CASH> 26,054 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 55,919 <ALLOWANCES> (353) <INVENTORY> 140,247 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 234,415 <PP&E> 344,222 <DEPRECIATION> (170,883) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 488,136 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 68,806 <BONDS> 75,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 7,135 <OTHER-SE> 315,297 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 488,136 <SALES> 475,888 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 475,888 <CGS> 308,496 <TOTAL-COSTS> 308,496 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 126,841 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,617 <INCOME-PRETAX> 40,780 <INCOME-TAX> 15,391 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 25,389 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 25,389 <EPS-BASIC> .88 <EPS-DILUTED> .88