WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1999
<CASH>                                          10,619
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   32,282
<ALLOWANCES>                                       437
<INVENTORY>                                     70,398
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               122,173
<PP&E>                                         282,005
<DEPRECIATION>                                  69,056
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 347,422
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           67,008
<BONDS>                                        201,052
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      48,486
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   347,422
<SALES>                                        245,084
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               245,084
<CGS>                                          216,995
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   19,936
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   112
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,794
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    107
<INCOME-TAX>                                        42
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 65
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        65
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0