<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-28-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-30-1997 <CASH> 5904 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 27,072 <ALLOWANCES> 2,530 <INVENTORY> 49,935 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 84,468 <PP&E> 62,549 <DEPRECIATION> 33,424 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 122,715 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 39,429 <BONDS> 44,391 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,741 <OTHER-SE> 33,277 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 122,715 <SALES> 76,416 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 76,416 <CGS> 55,630 <TOTAL-COSTS> 55,630 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 168 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,920 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,327 <INCOME-TAX> 3,043 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,284 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,284 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.49 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.41