<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           2,314
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   83,613
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,464
<INVENTORY>                                    112,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               200,853
<PP&E>                                         200,956
<DEPRECIATION>                                  43,923
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 441,725
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,236
<BONDS>                                        188,713
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           125
<OTHER-SE>                                     155,278
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   441,725
<SALES>                                        413,893
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               413,893
<CGS>                                          339,149
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  339,149
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                42,026
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,688
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,030
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,012
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,018
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,018
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.19