<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