The period, which ended July 31, was their fiscal third quarter.

The company lost $45.4 million, or 37 cents a share, in the first fiscal quarter.

And its sales were up by 60 percent in Japan, compared with the fiscal second quarter.

The firm is expected to report its results for the first fiscal quarter today.

It will not report on its first fiscal quarter until next month.

It had a net loss of $12.8 million for the first fiscal quarter last year.

The company said its supply was limited during the 1997 fiscal first quarter.

"I would rather get the first fiscal quarter behind us."

The company also reported a net loss for its fiscal first quarter.

Sales during the fiscal first quarter increased by 31 percent to $613.9 million.