<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. *Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-30-1999 <PERIOD-END> OCT-30-1999 <CASH> 8890 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 120361 <ALLOWANCES> 3016 <INVENTORY> 72108 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 206977 <PP&E> 318528 <DEPRECIATION> 75829 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 625401 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 129279 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 50000 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 20925 <OTHER-SE> 169117 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 625401 <SALES> 767873 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 767873 <CGS> 630911 <TOTAL-COSTS> 680166 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2135<F1> <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14063 <INCOME-PRETAX> 71509 <INCOME-TAX> 28438 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 43071 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 43071 <EPS-BASIC> 1.59 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.48 <FN> <F1>Distributions on preferred securities of Spartech Capital Trust </FN>