<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED 
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          12,111
<SECURITIES>                                     2,086
<RECEIVABLES>                                  159,661
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     53,774
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               241,146
<PP&E>                                          40,838
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 323,776
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           87,867
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              234
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     174,822
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   323,776
<SALES>                                         98,758
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                99,547
<CGS>                                           77,078
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   77,078
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,625
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 779
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,065
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,665
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,665
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0