<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 144,054 <ALLOWANCES> 4,062 <INVENTORY> 134,489 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 297,023 <PP&E> 638,190 <DEPRECIATION> 166,143 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,181,674 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 151,502 <BONDS> 557,367 <COMMON> 684 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 342,243 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,181,674 <SALES> 552,810 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 552,810 <CGS> 291,489 <TOTAL-COSTS> 291,489 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18,034 <INCOME-PRETAX> 38,379 <INCOME-TAX> 15,919 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 22,460 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 22,460 <EPS-PRIMARY> .33 <EPS-DILUTED> .33