<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 1, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-01-2000
<CASH>                                             331
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,107<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (2,509)<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                     46,945
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               105,148
<PP&E>                                         211,382<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (95,397)<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 318,386
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           94,888
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           134
<OTHER-SE>                                      84,717
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   318,386
<SALES>                                        147,073
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               147,073
<CGS>                                          128,353
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  128,353
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,313
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,725
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (6,318)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,673)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (4,645)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (4,645)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.35)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.35)
<FN>
<F1>AMOUNTS ARE REPORTED NET OF RESERVES IN THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEET.
</FN>