<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                      19,326,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              169,584,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 7,476,000
<INVENTORY>                                104,517,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           306,626,000
<PP&E>                                     194,943,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              62,729,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             487,938,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      138,144,000
<BONDS>                                    107,458,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,927,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 222,162,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               487,938,000
<SALES>                                    914,874,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           914,874,000
<CGS>                                      685,230,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              685,230,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,907,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,934,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             46,542,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                17,221,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         29,321,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                29,321,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .94