<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                           2,488
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,550
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     26,305
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               150,637
<PP&E>                                          74,275
<DEPRECIATION>                                  35,037
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 239,391
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,101
<BONDS>                                         37,468
<COMMON>                                         7,387
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          3
<OTHER-SE>                                     137,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   239,391
<SALES>                                        103,068
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               103,068
<CGS>                                           86,739
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  112,288
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,891
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,694
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (9,023)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,179)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,844)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  10,048
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,204
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .14
        

</TABLE>