<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM INTERIM
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOUND ON PAGES 2 AND 3 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 29,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1998
<CASH>                                           2,278
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  107,930
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (2,278)
<INVENTORY>                                     52,005
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               179,217
<PP&E>                                         414,490
<DEPRECIATION>                                (106,384)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 553,588
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          104,517
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           178
<OTHER-SE>                                     186,432
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   553,588
<SALES>                                        363,314
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               363,314
<CGS>                                          302,226
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  334,451
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (231)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,925
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,169
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,646
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,523
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,523
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .76<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .75<F1>
<FN>
<F1>WE HAVE CALCULATED EARNINGS PER SHARE AMOUNTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAS 128
"EARNINGS PER SHARE."  WE HAVE ENTERED BASIC AND DILUTED AMOUNTS IN PLACE OF
PRIMARY AND FULLY DILUTED, RESPECTIVELY.
</FN>