Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

12. COMMITMENTS

Rent expense under operating leases for the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999 was $3.0 million, $2.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively.

The Company and its subsidiaries have minimum rental commitment! under noncancelable operating leases, primarily leased buildings, as follows (in thousands):

2002 $ 3,041
2003 2,184
2004 1,002
2005 593
2006 496
Beyond 2006 1,876

Total $ 9,192