<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1997 <CASH> 20,976 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 121,857 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 49,440 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 205,884 <PP&E> 291,009 <DEPRECIATION> 139,539 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 379,312 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 173,642 <BONDS> 75,516 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 87 <OTHER-SE> 109,003 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 379,312 <SALES> 168,735 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 168,922 <CGS> 149,733 <TOTAL-COSTS> 155,697 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,144 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,679 <INCOME-TAX> 3,472 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,207 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,207 <EPS-PRIMARY> .63 <EPS-DILUTED> .63