<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-START> APR-29-1996 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-27-1997 <PERIOD-END> OCT-27-1996 <CASH> 744 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 53,713 <ALLOWANCES> (1,511) <INVENTORY> 52,300 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 108,943 <PP&E> 156,388 <DEPRECIATION> (76,072) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 219,527 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 51,713 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 566 <OTHER-SE> 86,269 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 219,527 <SALES> 195,733 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 195,733 <CGS> 86,082 <TOTAL-COSTS> 86,082 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 696 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,424 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,471 <INCOME-TAX> 3,551 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,920 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.52 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.52