<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1998 <CASH> 3,210 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 97,383 <ALLOWANCES> 1,325 <INVENTORY> 12,311 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 164,827 <PP&E> 107,919 <DEPRECIATION> 60,144 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 291,547 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 89,647 <BONDS> 91,676 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 996 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 100,528 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 291,547 <SALES> 155,910 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 318,130 <CGS> 114,516 <TOTAL-COSTS> 228,704 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 72,308 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,683 <INCOME-PRETAX> 14,435 <INCOME-TAX> 6,063 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,372 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 8,372 <EPS-PRIMARY> .87 <EPS-DILUTED> .86