<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 3/31/00 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                              APR-1-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          31,070
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  187,160
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,436
<INVENTORY>                                    168,597
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               429,555
<PP&E>                                         634,170
<DEPRECIATION>                                 296,183
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 931,107
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          175,477
<BONDS>                                        211,112
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        18,964
<OTHER-SE>                                     461,278
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   931,107
<SALES>                                      1,139,269
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,139,269
<CGS>                                          821,779
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  821,779
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,173
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,467
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 95,331
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,928
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             65,403
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    65,403
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.20