<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                          24,836
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   42,573
<ALLOWANCES>                                       335
<INVENTORY>                                    109,126
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,604
<PP&E>                                         278,520
<DEPRECIATION>                                 137,472
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 390,128
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           69,514
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,292
<OTHER-SE>                                     291,589
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   390,128
<SALES>                                        423,234
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               423,234
<CGS>                                          275,393
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  275,393
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               105,741
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 120
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,424
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,816
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,608
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                        2,958
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,650
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .81