<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 175,360 <ALLOWANCES> 4,882 <INVENTORY> 146,109 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 360,875 <PP&E> 839,188 <DEPRECIATION> 204,679 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,490,494 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 190,449 <BONDS> 743,718 <COMMON> 698 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 395,328 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,490,494 <SALES> 691,768 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 691,768 <CGS> 369,135 <TOTAL-COSTS> 369,135 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 25,778 <INCOME-PRETAX> 56,969 <INCOME-TAX> 23,068 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 33,901 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 33,901 <EPS-PRIMARY> .48 <EPS-DILUTED> .48