<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 2,482 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 55,915 <ALLOWANCES> 3,430 <INVENTORY> 65,442 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 131,772 <PP&E> 202,752 <DEPRECIATION> 84,433 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 268,147 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 64,862 <BONDS> 141,881 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 146 <PREFERRED> 48,000 <COMMON> 1,501 <OTHER-SE> 11,757 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 268,147 <SALES> 239,037 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 244,229 <CGS> 194,195 <TOTAL-COSTS> 194,195 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,382 <INCOME-PRETAX> (8,562) <INCOME-TAX> 188 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (8,750) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (8,750) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.86) <EPS-DILUTED> (.86)