<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <CURRENCY> US DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 2,437 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 50,141 <ALLOWANCES> 990 <INVENTORY> 76,701 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 130,746 <PP&E> 151,644 <DEPRECIATION> 36,242 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 281,336 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 43,101 <BONDS> 81,800 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 124 <OTHER-SE> 139,920 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 281,336 <SALES> 449,700 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 449,700 <CGS> 375,537 <TOTAL-COSTS> 375,537 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 41,560 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,115 <INCOME-PRETAX> 27,488 <INCOME-TAX> 11,072 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 16,416 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 16,416 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.33 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.30