
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-02-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           5,168
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   72,474
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,477
<INVENTORY>                                     28,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               117,985
<PP&E>                                          21,735
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,713
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 168,735
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,525
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       103,845
<OTHER-SE>                                    (15,395)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   168,735
<SALES>                                         82,657
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               113,426
<CGS>                                           50,953
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   70,014
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,189
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,026
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,621
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,602
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,123
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,479
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,479
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.42
        

</TABLE>
