<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD
ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           7,211
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  264,790
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,093
<INVENTORY>                                    328,555
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               652,937
<PP&E>                                       1,150,658
<DEPRECIATION>                                 289,310
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,685,497
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          439,135
<BONDS>                                        363,826
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     698,382
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,685,497
<SALES>                                        936,242
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               936,242
<CGS>                                          768,025
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  768,025
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,294
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 78,374
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,390
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,984
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    48,984
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .55