<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 4,938 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 16,592 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 17,084 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 42,514 <PP&E> 40,482 <DEPRECIATION> 23,500 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 73,420 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 21,523 <BONDS> 17,344 <COMMON> 188 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 30,579 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 73,420 <SALES> 27,886 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 27,886 <CGS> 11,754 <TOTAL-COSTS> 11,754 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,464 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 270 <INCOME-PRETAX> (1,171) <INCOME-TAX> (333) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (838) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (838) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.11) <EPS-DILUTED> (.11)