<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from balance sheet, income statement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-29-1997 <PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997 <CASH> 3,271 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 205,508 <ALLOWANCES> 6,784 <INVENTORY> 155,167 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 407,550 <PP&E> 681,278 <DEPRECIATION> 289,182 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 899,914 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 244,423 <BONDS> 186,649 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 306 <COMMON> 14,096 <OTHER-SE> 328,587 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 899,914 <SALES> 632,963 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 632,963 <CGS> 432,762 <TOTAL-COSTS> 162,604 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (340) <LOSS-PROVISION> 493 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,899 <INCOME-PRETAX> 28,038 <INCOME-TAX> 11,439 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 16,932 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 16,932 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.19 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.19