<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR
THE PERIOD ENDING 9/26/98 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                              APR-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-26-1998
<CASH>                                          30,230
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  183,472
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,014
<INVENTORY>                                    142,150
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               396,139
<PP&E>                                         557,698
<DEPRECIATION>                                 278,143
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 820,229
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          184,732
<BONDS>                                        135,123
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        18,964
<OTHER-SE>                                     426,039
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   820,229
<SALES>                                        546,065
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               546,065
<CGS>                                          391,649
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  391,649
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   342
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,025
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 62,328
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,167
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,161
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,161
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.30