<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOUND ON PAGES
33 AND 34 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER, 28 1997 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                           2,645
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   95,227
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,367)
<INVENTORY>                                     48,953
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               160,503
<PP&E>                                         374,393
<DEPRECIATION>                                (91,402)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 493,296
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           93,957
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           177
<OTHER-SE>                                     172,462
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   493,296
<SALES>                                        648,961
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               648,961
<CGS>                                          538,502
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  596,568
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (14)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,433
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,974
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,810
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,164
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,164
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.31