<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,056
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   67,455
<ALLOWANCES>                                       676
<INVENTORY>                                     50,142
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               127,712
<PP&E>                                         356,658
<DEPRECIATION>                                 111,375
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 532,116
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           91,783
<BONDS>                                        251,303
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           358
<OTHER-SE>                                     148,186
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   532,116
<SALES>                                        143,711
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               143,711
<CGS>                                          108,774
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  108,774
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                19,870
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,903
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,143
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,743
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,743
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .28<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .28
<FN>
<F1>AMOUNT REPORTED IS EPS-BASIC
</FN>