<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 Jan-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   Mar-31-1997
<CASH>                                         0
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  192,439
<ALLOWANCES>                                   2,243
<INVENTORY>                                    162,546
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               365,751
<PP&E>                                         499,658
<DEPRECIATION>                                 228,646
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 826,622
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          124,545
<BONDS>                                        362,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       102
<OTHER-SE>                                     229,141
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   826,622
<SALES>                                        272,191
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               272,191
<CGS>                                          248,145
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  248,145
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               75
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             8,333
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                2,970
<INCOME-TAX>                                   802
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            2,168
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   2,168
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.21