<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-02-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                           6,057
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   93,918
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,696
<INVENTORY>                                     46,007
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               168,511
<PP&E>                                         169,603
<DEPRECIATION>                                  43,995
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 721,067
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          120,287
<BONDS>                                        330,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           299
<OTHER-SE>                                     204,767
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   721,067
<SALES>                                        804,834
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               804,834
<CGS>                                          455,905
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  455,905
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,528
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,396
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,611
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,509
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,102
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  2,030
<CHANGES>                                        4,329
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,743
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.38