<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Registrants' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended February 23, 1997. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-25-1997 <PERIOD-START> MAY-26-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-23-1997 <CASH> 11,345 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 185,447 <ALLOWANCES> 3,621 <INVENTORY> 302,449 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 604,513 <PP&E> 1,031,805 <DEPRECIATION> 511,847 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,241,472 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 380,524 <BONDS> 223,392 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 41,479 <OTHER-SE> 502,603 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,241,472 <SALES> 745,012 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 745,012 <CGS> 571,151 <TOTAL-COSTS> 571,151 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 131,716 <LOSS-PROVISION> 818 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,647 <INCOME-PRETAX> 34,680 <INCOME-TAX> 14,045 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 20,635 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 20,635 <EPS-PRIMARY> .51 <EPS-DILUTED> .51