<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1996 <PERIOD-START> AUG-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1995 <CASH> 13,419 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 94,893 <ALLOWANCES> 2,947 <INVENTORY> 143,181 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 263,259 <PP&E> 250,811 <DEPRECIATION> 103,790 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 500,049 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 141,776 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 7,291 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 267,320 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 500,049 <SALES> 327,117 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 327,117 <CGS> 215,038 <TOTAL-COSTS> 215,038 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 79,034 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,005 <INCOME-PRETAX> 25,372 <INCOME-TAX> 6,432 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,940 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18,940 <EPS-PRIMARY> .65 <EPS-DILUTED> .65