EXHIBIT 12.1

         STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Six Months
                                                     Ended      Year Ended   Year Ended    Year Ended    Year Ended    Year Ended
                                                 September 30,   March 31,    March 31,     March 31,     March 31,      March 31,
                                                     1999          1999          1998          1997          1996          1995
                                                    -------      -------       -------       -------       -------       -------
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
Consolidated pretax income (loss) from
    Continuing operations                           $ 7,197       (7,839)      (27,122)      (26,005)      (21,431)       (1,869)

Net amortization of debt issuance expense               655        1,412         2,292         1,784         2,139         2,174

Interest expense                                     16,464       34,830        36,664        34,505        30,549        23,578

Interest portion of rental expense                    1,151        2,301         2,130         1,799         1,618         1,392
                                                    -------      -------       -------       -------       -------       -------

Earnings                                            $25,467       30,704        13,964        12,083        12,875        25,275
                                                    =======      =======       =======       =======       =======       =======

Interest expense                                    $16,464       34,830        36,664        34,505        30,549        23,578

Net amortization of debt issuance expense               655        1,412         2,292         1,784         2,139         2,174

Interest portion of rental expense                    1,151        2,301         2,130         1,799         1,618         1,392
                                                    -------      -------       -------       -------       -------       -------

    Fixed Charges                                   $18,270       38,543        41,086        38,088        34,306        27,144
                                                    =======      =======       =======       =======       =======       =======

       Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges              1.39         (a)           (a)           (a)           (a)           (a)
                                                    =======      =======       =======       =======       =======       =======
</TABLE>

(a)  The deficiency in earnings required to cover fixed charges for the fiscal
     years ended March 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $7,839, $27,122,
     $26,005, $21,431, and $1,869 respectively. The deficiency in earnings to
     cover fixed charges is computed by subtracting earnings before fixed
     charges, income taxes, discontinued operations and extraordinary items from
     fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense and one-third of
     operating lease rental expense, which is deemed to be representative of the
     interest factor. The deficiency in earnings required to cover fixed charges
     includes depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amortization of
     goodwill and other assets and non-cash charges which are reflected in cost
     of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, in the following
     amounts (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Six Months
                                            Ended
                                         September 30,                       Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
                                        ---------------   ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             1999           1999         1998          1997          1996          1995
                                            -------       -------       -------       -------       -------       -------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
     Depreciation                           $14,790        29,651        28,124        25,282        21,385        18,327
     Amortization                             2,048         4,025        10,413         9,374         9,311         8,941
     Non-cash charges(gain)                    --           1,150         2,301         1,944         3,435        (3,311)
                                            -------       -------       -------       -------       -------       -------
       Total                                $16,838        34,826        40,838        36,600        34,131        23,957
                                            =======       =======       =======       =======       =======       =======
</TABLE>