<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JUN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1997 <CASH> 26,247 <SECURITIES> 7 <RECEIVABLES> 125,581 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 116,667 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 279,904 <PP&E> 447,781 <DEPRECIATION> 282,648 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 467,201 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 99,728 <BONDS> 96,154 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 37,053 <OTHER-SE> 157,781 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 467,201 <SALES> 366,621 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 369,378 <CGS> 304,185 <TOTAL-COSTS> 304,185 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,682 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,117 <INCOME-TAX> 11,922 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 25,195 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 25,195 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.67 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.67