<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 172,077 <ALLOWANCES> 5,780 <INVENTORY> 158,689 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 367,407 <PP&E> 683,915 <DEPRECIATION> 217,117 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,597,188 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 194,926 <BONDS> 808,808 <COMMON> 713 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 417,287 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,597,188 <SALES> 1,059,578 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,059,578 <CGS> 565,086 <TOTAL-COSTS> 565,086 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 39,234 <INCOME-PRETAX> 77,381 <INCOME-TAX> 31,654 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 45,727 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 45,727 <EPS-PRIMARY> .65 <EPS-DILUTED> .65