<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND  STATEMENT OF  OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED  SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, AS OF AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, AND
AS OF AND FOR THE THREE  MONTHS  ENDED MARCH 31,  1997,  AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       

<S>                             <C>                          <C>                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                        6-MOS                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997                DEC-31-1997              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997                JAN-01-1997              JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1997                JUN-30-1997              MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          8,719                      2,039                    2,540
<SECURITIES>                                   99,419                          0                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  45,986                     35,350                   31,938
<ALLOWANCES>                                      738                        526                      456
<INVENTORY>                                     6,013                      6,194                    4,454
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              170,859                     51,782                   44,047
<PP&E>                                         52,338                     44,564                   42,814
<DEPRECIATION>                                 26,950                     24,290                   23,070
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                212,634                     86,155                   74,404
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          28,028                     23,797                   25,247
<BONDS>                                         2,410                     17,403                    7,688
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                          0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                          0                        0
<COMMON>                                          178                        144                      143
<OTHER-SE>                                    179,331                     42,214                   38,338
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  212,634                     86,155                   74,404
<SALES>                                       131,488                     81,072                   39,761
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              131,488                     81,072                   39,761
<CGS>                                          84,653                     52,871                   26,821
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  84,653                     52,871                   26,821
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0                          0                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                          0                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                921                        508                      210
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                16,636                      9,641                    4,259
<INCOME-TAX>                                    6,613                      3,760                    1,661
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            10,023                      5,881                    2,598
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                          0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                          0                        0
<CHANGES>                                           0                          0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                   10,023                      5,881                    2,598
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.68                       0.41                     0.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.64                       0.39                     0.17
        



</TABLE>