<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS                   9-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997             OCT-31-1997             OCT-31-1997             OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996             NOV-01-1996             NOV-01-1996             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997             APR-30-1997             JUL-31-1997             OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                           6,796                  30,309                  34,598                  32,807
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,295                  14,721                  16,835                  18,402
<ALLOWANCES>                                       210                     327                     277                     324
<INVENTORY>                                     12,982                  15,234                  13,683                  16,075
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                35,571                  60,667                  65,528                  68,443
<PP&E>                                           3,596                   4,010                   4,386                   5,199
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,905                   2,086                   2,266                   2,690
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  37,492                  62,746                  67,798                  75,194
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,387                   8,062                  11,023                  15,084
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0                       0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      29,105                  54,685                  56,775                  60,110
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    37,492                  62,746                  67,798                  75,194
<SALES>                                         20,069                  42,142                  66,605                  93,204
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                20,069                  42,142                  66,605                  93,204
<CGS>                                           14,097                  29,660                  47,057                  65,556
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   14,097                  29,660                  47,057                  65,556
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   632                   1,323                   2,056                   2,909
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0                       0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,546                   5,457                   8,865                  12,663
<INCOME-TAX>                                       885                   1,896                   3,042                   4,166
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,661                   3,561                   5,823                   8,497
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,661                   3,561                   5,823                   8,497
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21                     .42                     .66                     .94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .20                     .41                     .64                     .92
        

</TABLE>