<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the 10-Q filing for the quarter ending 9/29/96 and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         MAR-31-1997           MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            JUL-01-1996           JUL-03-1995
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-29-1996           OCT-01-1995
<CASH>                                          4,368                45,085
<SECURITIES>                                      348                   348
<RECEIVABLES>                                 242,515               246,567
<ALLOWANCES>                                      330                   380
<INVENTORY>                                   108,350               100,246
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              398,716               425,431
<PP&E>                                        581,297               571,171
<DEPRECIATION>                                182,247               157,630
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                969,835             1,017,409
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         328,788               367,243
<BONDS>                                       325,000               350,000
<COMMON>                                          130                   130
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                     0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                     0 
<OTHER-SE>                                    182,648               157,347
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  969,835             1,017,409
<SALES>                                       530,521               560,598
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              530,521               560,598
<CGS>                                         438,500               459,358
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 438,500               459,358
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                7,674                 6,781
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             20,936                22,604
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                24,774                28,270
<INCOME-TAX>                                        0                 6,219
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            24,774                22,051
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                 (800)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                     0 
<CHANGES>                                           0                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                   24,774                21,251
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    1.85                  1.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.84                  1.57