<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> AUG-01-1998 <CASH> 4,497 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 86,187 <ALLOWANCES> 1,153 <INVENTORY> 11,370 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 162,684 <PP&E> 82,186 <DEPRECIATION> 40,784 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 284,694 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 89,487 <BONDS> 87,143 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,059 <OTHER-SE> 100,930 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 284,694 <SALES> 50,055 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 115,850 <CGS> 35,988 <TOTAL-COSTS> 79,387 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 30,656 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,089 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,718 <INCOME-TAX> 2,052 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,666 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,666 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.26 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.26