<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> USD <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-02-2000 <PERIOD-START> NOV-28-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAY-27-2000 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1.0 <CASH> 7,574 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 115,742 <ALLOWANCES> 5,504 <INVENTORY> 100,623 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 227,342 <PP&E> 257,722 <DEPRECIATION> 126,503 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 492,044 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 91,602 <BONDS> 157,379 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 24,246 <OTHER-SE> 199,824 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 492,044 <SALES> 312,902 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 312,902 <CGS> 218,634 <TOTAL-COSTS> 218,634 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 441 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,355 <INCOME-PRETAX> 26,943 <INCOME-TAX> 9,774 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 17,153 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 17,153 <EPS-BASIC> 0.71 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.70