<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          35,815
<SECURITIES>                                       933
<RECEIVABLES>                                  177,402
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     86,896
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               334,601
<PP&E>                                         280,865
<DEPRECIATION>                                (81,505)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 723,550
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          195,523
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       233,524
<OTHER-SE>                                      91,010
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   723,550
<SALES>                                        328,517
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               328,517
<CGS>                                          183,496
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  183,496
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,395
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,355
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,299
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,056
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,056
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .78