<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> USD
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                     1.
<CASH>                                           4,941
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  102,230
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (720)
<INVENTORY>                                     53,201
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               189,306
<PP&E>                                         335,033
<DEPRECIATION>                               (107,123)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 524,550
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           84,051
<BONDS>                                        188,091
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           99,124
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        26,988
<OTHER-SE>                                      85,914
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   524,550
<SALES>                                        758,666
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               760,751
<CGS>                                          595,583
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  595,583
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               138,196
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   542
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,142
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,288
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,187
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,101
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,101
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.26