<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                          3,558
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                  86,155
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                    40,670
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              140,357 
<PP&E>                                        193,947
<DEPRECIATION>                                 55,250
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                358,943
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          98,772
<BONDS>                                       128,724
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                          110
<OTHER-SE>                                    102,572
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  358,943
<SALES>                                       339,504 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              339,504
<CGS>                                         285,795
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 285,795
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               30,464
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              5,751
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                17,494
<INCOME-TAX>                                    5,073
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            12,421
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                   12,421
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    1.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.19