<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1998 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998             MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                            7727                    7727
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    84733                   84733
<ALLOWANCES>                                      3279                    3279
<INVENTORY>                                      89177                   89177
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                198009                  198009
<PP&E>                                          318219                  318219
<DEPRECIATION>                                  211224                  211224
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  332182                  332182
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            75493                   75493
<BONDS>                                          17679                   17679
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           106                     106
<OTHER-SE>                                      204003                  204003
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    332182                  332182
<SALES>                                         113160                  211300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                113160                  211300
<CGS>                                            81563                  154622
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   100975                  192753
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  1044                    1591
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 444                     785
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  10697                   16171
<INCOME-TAX>                                      4314                    6449
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               5415                    7873
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                      5415                    7873
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .48                     .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .48                     .69