<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1999
<CASH>                                           1,122
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   93,074
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,698
<INVENTORY>                                     19,763
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               188,091
<PP&E>                                          99,512
<DEPRECIATION>                                  51,772
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 317,351
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           95,202
<BONDS>                                        103,102
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,085
<OTHER-SE>                                     109,386
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   317,351
<SALES>                                         42,848
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               116,204
<CGS>                                           31,628
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   79,850
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                33,295
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,426
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,633
<INCOME-TAX>                                       751
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                882
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       882
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .08