<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                           1,853
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   93,046
<ALLOWANCES>                                       996
<INVENTORY>                                     21,352
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               183,213
<PP&E>                                          90,442
<DEPRECIATION>                                  45,043
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 311,495
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           98,821
<BONDS>                                        101,427
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            1,065
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     105,675
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   311,495
<SALES>                                        105,092
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               240,903
<CGS>                                           75,095
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  164,396
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                63,006
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,252
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,249
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,892
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,357
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,357
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .61