<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 13,487 0 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 156,991 0 <ALLOWANCES> 12,640 0 <INVENTORY> 83,777 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 244,614 0 <PP&E> 84,619 0 <DEPRECIATION> 50,628 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 395,399 0 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 171,497 0 <BONDS> 0 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 3,154 0 <OTHER-SE> 198,547 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 395,399 0 <SALES> 355,559 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 355,559 0 <CGS> 190,304 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 190,304 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 121,357 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,494 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,590 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,900 0 <INCOME-TAX> 16,346 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 21,554 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 21,554 0 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.32 (1.34) <EPS-DILUTED> 1.32 (1.33) <FN> NOTE* AS PER FASB STATEMENT NO. 128, EARNINGS PER SHARE, "PRIMARY" IS NOW "BASIC".