<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE REGISTRANT'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           3,918
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,804
<ALLOWANCES>                                       946
<INVENTORY>                                     16,466
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                51,282
<PP&E>                                          21,684
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,752
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  71,753
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           32,956
<BONDS>                                        107,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            49
<OTHER-SE>                                      43,741
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    71,753
<SALES>                                         71,279
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                71,279
<CGS>                                           30,546
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   62,526
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (156)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   144
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,947
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,759
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,104
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,655
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,655
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.32