<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF EARNINGS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 12/26/98 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                              APR-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-26-1998
<CASH>                                          36,231
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  178,542
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,994
<INVENTORY>                                    160,208
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               410,846
<PP&E>                                         586,225
<DEPRECIATION>                                 289,566
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 879,192
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          223,755
<BONDS>                                        148,239
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        18,964
<OTHER-SE>                                     432,744
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   879,192
<SALES>                                        830,420
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               830,420
<CGS>                                          598,891
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  598,891
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (809)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,743
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 90,290
<INCOME-TAX>                                    33,788
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             56,502
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    56,502
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.88