<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1996 <CASH> 11,794 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 48,613 <ALLOWANCES> 590 <INVENTORY> 120,899 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 201,936 <PP&E> 256,010 <DEPRECIATION> 117,877 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 406,690 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 65,094 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 7,290 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 277,469 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 406,690 <SALES> 276,998 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 276,998 <CGS> 180,040 <TOTAL-COSTS> 180,040 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 70,153 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,419 <INCOME-PRETAX> 26,162 <INCOME-TAX> 10,855 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 15,307 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 15,307 <EPS-PRIMARY> .52 <EPS-DILUTED> .52