<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR
THE PERIOD ENDING 3/31/99 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                              APR-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          49,163
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  186,659
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,749
<INVENTORY>                                    178,949
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               453,096
<PP&E>                                         594,646
<DEPRECIATION>                                 290,882
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 915,739
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          256,595
<BONDS>                                        143,838
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        18,964
<OTHER-SE>                                     434,255
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   915,739
<SALES>                                      1,111,447
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,111,447
<CGS>                                          801,520
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  801,520
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (427)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,722
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                118,070
<INCOME-TAX>                                    44,127
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             73,943
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    73,943
<EPS-BASIC>                                     2.50<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.46
<FN>
<F1>BASIC EPS - TO REFLECT ADOPTION OF FASB 128.
</FN>