<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           2,922
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,998
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,174
<INVENTORY>                                     72,698
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               136,684
<PP&E>                                         149,036
<DEPRECIATION>                                  34,695
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 286,288
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,363
<BONDS>                                         90,652
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           124
<OTHER-SE>                                     136,248
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   286,288
<SALES>                                        341,739
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               341,739
<CGS>                                          284,977
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  284,977
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                31,177
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,907
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,678
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,748
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,930
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,930
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.05