<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 12/26/97 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              APR-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-26-1997
<CASH>                                          30,094
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  167,762
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,050
<INVENTORY>                                    141,894
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               374,870
<PP&E>                                         494,764
<DEPRECIATION>                                 265,270
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 720,605
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          169,635
<BONDS>                                         81,182
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        18,964
<OTHER-SE>                                     395,381
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   720,605
<SALES>                                        785,428
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               785,428
<CGS>                                          559,513
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  559,513
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   950
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,950
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 88,260
<INCOME-TAX>                                    34,010
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             54,250
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    54,250
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.79