<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM INTERIM
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOUND ON PAGES 2 AND 3 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH
30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                           3,421
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   96,332
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,040)
<INVENTORY>                                     48,120
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               156,539
<PP&E>                                         344,269
<DEPRECIATION>                                (78,826)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 473,307
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           83,452
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           177
<OTHER-SE>                                     159,077
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   473,307
<SALES>                                        310,921
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               310,921
<CGS>                                          259,213
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  287,308
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    91
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,353
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,169
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,306
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,863
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,863
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56