<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This  exhibit  contains  summary  financial   information   extracted  from  the
Registrant's financial statements for the period ended December 31, 1997, and is
qualified  in its  entirety by  reference  to such  financial  statements.  This
exhibit  shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 11 of the  Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise
subject to the liability of such Sections,  nor shall it be deemed a part of any
other  filing which  incorporates  this report by  reference,  unless such other
filing expressly incorporates this Exhibit by reference.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000
<CURRENCY>                    U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                       OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                         DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<CASH>                                                                     8,482
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                             23,419
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                 895
<INVENTORY>                                                               24,479
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                          65,643
<PP&E>                                                                    32,800
<DEPRECIATION>                                                             7,288
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                           164,964
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                     23,963
<BONDS>                                                                   33,002
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                     160
<OTHER-SE>                                                                86,158
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                             164,964
<SALES>                                                                   42,918
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                          42,918
<CGS>                                                                     27,862
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                             27,862
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                           8,681
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                           574
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                            6,093
<INCOME-TAX>                                                               2,437
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                        3,656
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                               3,656
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                               0.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               0.22
        

</TABLE>