<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 144,907 <ALLOWANCES> 4,578 <INVENTORY> 132,060 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 322,792 <PP&E> 712,492 <DEPRECIATION> 176,208 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,285,681 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 165,158 <BONDS> 631,094 <COMMON> 687 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 357,250 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,285,681 <SALES> 850,013 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 850,013 <CGS> 447,782 <TOTAL-COSTS> 447,782 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 28,419 <INCOME-PRETAX> 57,303 <INCOME-TAX> 23,883 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 33,420 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 33,420 <EPS-PRIMARY> .49 <EPS-DILUTED> .49