<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 10-Q filing for the quarter ending 12-29-96 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 MAR-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> SEP-30-1996 OCT-02-1995 <PERIOD-END> DEC-29-1996 DEC-31-1995 <CASH> 38,375 45,532 <SECURITIES> 348 348 <RECEIVABLES> 188,654 178,475 <ALLOWANCES> 58 380 <INVENTORY> 76,401 87,602 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 340,959 344,238 <PP&E> 530,115 514,725 <DEPRECIATION> 165,889 132,212 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 947,092 970,646 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 301,749 320,480 <BONDS> 312,500 350,000 <COMMON> 130 130 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <OTHER-SE> 200,138 157,347 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 947,092 970,646 <SALES> 778,606 732,604 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 778,606 732,604 <CGS> 649,424 605,051 <TOTAL-COSTS> 649,424 605,051 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 11,769 8,866 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 27,334 29,218 <INCOME-PRETAX> 35,137 35,632 <INCOME-TAX> 0 7,839 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 35,137 27,793 <DISCONTINUED> 4,819 5,952 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 39,956 33,745 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.98 2.51 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.97 2.49