<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997 <CASH> 12,196 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 43,855 <ALLOWANCES> 621 <INVENTORY> 105,963 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 177,642 <PP&E> 258,445 <DEPRECIATION> 121,580 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 379,831 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 56,721 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 7,290 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 279,380 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 379,831 <SALES> 401,477 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 401,477 <CGS> 260,423 <TOTAL-COSTS> 260,423 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 103,243 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,790 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,149 <INCOME-TAX> 15,309 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 21,840 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 21,840 <EPS-PRIMARY> .75 <EPS-DILUTED> .75