<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>