<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