<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                          37,258
<SECURITIES>                                         7
<RECEIVABLES>                                  103,893
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     94,048
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               250,323
<PP&E>                                         421,284
<DEPRECIATION>                                 271,586
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 426,367
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          101,727
<BONDS>                                         96,231
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        37,053
<OTHER-SE>                                     107,306
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   426,367
<SALES>                                        424,144
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               426,222
<CGS>                                          362,540
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  362,540
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,053
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,278
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (19,680)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,958
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,958
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.81