<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997
<CASH>                                             653
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   54,679
<ALLOWANCES>                                       825
<INVENTORY>                                    121,571
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               192,812
<PP&E>                                         418,746
<DEPRECIATION>                                 179,197
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 456,256
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           74,064
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       123,966
<OTHER-SE>                                    (26,615)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   456,256
<SALES>                                        143,706
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               143,719
<CGS>                                          132,974
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  142,136
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,249
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,666)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,481)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,185)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,185)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.09)