<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> Sep-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> Sep-30-1997 <CASH> 1,133 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 80,890 <ALLOWANCES> 1,221 <INVENTORY> 58,551 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 154,380 <PP&E> 142,972 <DEPRECIATION> 77,461 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 236,881 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 120,563 <BONDS> 207,321 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 500 <OTHER-SE> 80,095 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 236,881 <SALES> 432,552 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 432,552 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 234,569 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 163,219 <LOSS-PROVISION> 617 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 24,542 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,605 <INCOME-TAX> 3,419 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,186 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,186 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.28 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.28