<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-28-2000
<CASH>                                             902
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  456,665
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    241,924
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               749,293
<PP&E>                                         365,219
<DEPRECIATION>                                 237,069
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,016,031
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          507,223
<BONDS>                                        196,074
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,643
<OTHER-SE>                                     293,987
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,016,031
<SALES>                                        722,038
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               722,038
<CGS>                                          460,150
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  202,718
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,581
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,409
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,180
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,347
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,833
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,833
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.13

<F1>Total long-term debt
<F2>Does not include additional paid-in-capital
<F3>Other expense, net
<F4>Not included in quarterly financial information
<F5>Total net receivables