<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