<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND RETAINED EARNINGS THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND EXHIBIT 11. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                           2,800
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  328,628<F5>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F4>
<INVENTORY>                                    202,999
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               586,496
<PP&E>                                         325,473
<DEPRECIATION>                                 192,510
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 833,363
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          350,801
<BONDS>                                        197,631<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,868<F2>
<OTHER-SE>                                     266,122
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   833,363
<SALES>                                        880,738
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               880,738
<CGS>                                          573,457
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  266,883
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (6,140)<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,366
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,172
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,733
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,439
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,439
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.24
<FN>
<F1>TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT
<F2>DOES NOT INCLUDE ADDITIONAL PAID-IN-CAPITAL
<F3>OTHER INCOME, NET
<F4>NOT INCLUDED IN QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<F5>TOTAL NET RECEIVABLES
</FN>