<ARTICLE>   5
<MULTIPLIER>      1,000
       
                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>        SEP-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>             MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                         7,717
<SECURITIES>                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                 69,256
<ALLOWANCES>                       0
<INVENTORY>                  137,926
<CURRENT-ASSETS>             222,855
<PP&E>                       474,699
<DEPRECIATION>               187,776
<TOTAL-ASSETS>               531,579
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>        124,329
<BONDS>                      193,546
<COMMON>                         276
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>              0
<PREFERRED>                        0
<OTHER-SE>                   157,090
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 531,579
<SALES>                      601,207
<TOTAL-REVENUES>             601,207
<CGS>                        547,855
<TOTAL-COSTS>                575,233
<OTHER-EXPENSES>               8,363
<LOSS-PROVISION>               (779)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>            10,733
<INCOME-PRETAX>               17,611
<INCOME-TAX>                   2,552
<INCOME-CONTINUING>           15,059
<DISCONTINUED>                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                    0
<CHANGES>                          0
<NET-INCOME>                  15,059
<EPS-PRIMARY>                   .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                   .55