<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
INCOME FILED AS PART OF THE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           2,835
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  112,337
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,343
<INVENTORY>                                    101,472
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               216,673
<PP&E>                                         891,943
<DEPRECIATION>                                 338,470
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,110,462
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          153,283
<BONDS>                                        481,346
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           344
<OTHER-SE>                                     375,941
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,110,462
<SALES>                                        316,475
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               316,475
<CGS>                                          235,130
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  235,130
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,739
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,062
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,677
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,677
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .25