<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-2000 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1999 <CASH> 25,019 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 66,807 <ALLOWANCES> (397) <INVENTORY> 146,395 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 250,399 <PP&E> 337,795 <DEPRECIATION> (166,095) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 505,414 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 79,842 <BONDS> 75,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 7,246 <OTHER-SE> 321,491 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 505,414 <SALES> 325,460 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 325,460 <CGS> 212,559 <TOTAL-COSTS> 212,559 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 80,599 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,333 <INCOME-PRETAX> 33,064 <INCOME-TAX> 12,638 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 20,426 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 20,426 <EPS-BASIC> .71 <EPS-DILUTED> .70