<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR
THE PERIOD ENDING 9/26/99 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                              APR-1-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-26-1999
<CASH>                                          57,014
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  190,318
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,981
<INVENTORY>                                    182,566
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               470,056
<PP&E>                                         627,957
<DEPRECIATION>                                 301,260
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 957,357
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          242,810
<BONDS>                                        177,567
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        18,964
<OTHER-SE>                                     455,591
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   957,357
<SALES>                                        570,538
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               570,538
<CGS>                                          408,985
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  408,985
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   357
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,514
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 55,183
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,578
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             34,605
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    34,605
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.16