<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
CONTAINED IN THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997             OCT-31-1996             OCT-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996             NOV-01-1995             NOV-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997             OCT-31-1996             OCT-31-1995
<CASH>                                         111,331                  52,568                       0
<SECURITIES>                                    38,672                   8,494                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   95,366                  52,806                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                       669                     583                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     39,336                  39,001                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               303,022                 157,818                       0
<PP&E>                                          33,345                  17,623                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,741                   4,189                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 327,958                 172,185                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           96,907                  83,494                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                       135,302                  37,321                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      95,018                  49,298                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   327,985                 172,185                       0
<SALES>                                        694,675                 401,774                 274,592
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               694,675                 401,774                 274,592
<CGS>                                          582,515                 329,644                 224,931
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  582,515                 329,644                 224,931
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 225                     309                     704
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 68,865                  39,891                  19,911
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,418                  14,760                   7,344
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    45,447                  25,131                  12,567
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.04                    0.60                    0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0                       0
        

</TABLE>