<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Registrants' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
November 23, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-23-1997
<CASH>                                          75,291
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  226,975
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,786
<INVENTORY>                                    322,049
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               688,018
<PP&E>                                       1,099,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                 544,655
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,408,179
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          356,413
<BONDS>                                        359,221
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        41,870
<OTHER-SE>                                     568,015
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,408,179
<SALES>                                        771,954
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               771,954
<CGS>                                          586,015
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  586,015
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               135,761
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   345
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,183
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,564
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,989
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,575
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,575
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .66