<ARTICLE> 5

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                            2319
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   145274
<ALLOWANCES>                                      4018
<INVENTORY>                                     222049
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                402132
<PP&E>                                          693265
<DEPRECIATION>                                  307486
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1174437
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           317862
<BONDS>                                         337451
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          5396
<OTHER-SE>                                      431122
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1174437
<SALES>                                         469874
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                469874
<CGS>                                           305398
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   305398
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   210
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               15216
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  53253
<INCOME-TAX>                                     14407
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              38846
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     38846
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .78