<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1997 <CASH> 586 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 70,815 <ALLOWANCES> 2,000 <INVENTORY> 135,864 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 216,736 <PP&E> 518,002 <DEPRECIATION> 302,101 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 491,520 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 66,207 <BONDS> 60,639 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,994 <OTHER-SE> 310,270 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 491,520 <SALES> 440,879 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 440,879 <CGS> 347,339 <TOTAL-COSTS> 347,339 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 225 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,395 <INCOME-PRETAX> 41,728 <INCOME-TAX> 15,660 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 26,068 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 26,068 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.91 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.91