<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JUN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996 <CASH> 9,345 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 58,349 <ALLOWANCES> 1,900 <INVENTORY> 135,449 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 214,646 <PP&E> 510,087 <DEPRECIATION> 294,677 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 489,945 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 67,101 <BONDS> 66,893 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,994 <OTHER-SE> 301,777 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 489,945 <SALES> 293,164 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 293,164 <CGS> 232,362 <TOTAL-COSTS> 232,362 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 150 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,325 <INCOME-PRETAX> 25,936 <INCOME-TAX> 9,574 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 16,362 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 16,362 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.57 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.57