<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> FEB-29-2000 <CASH> 9,354 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 76,333 <ALLOWANCES> (1,474) <INVENTORY> 59,063 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 159,245 <PP&E> 202,762 <DEPRECIATION> (87,185) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 499,712 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 84,342 <BONDS> 186,838 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 27,479 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 499,712 <SALES> 189,265 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 189,265 <CGS> 124,009 <TOTAL-COSTS> 124,009 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 47,483 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,556 <INCOME-PRETAX> 11,217 <INCOME-TAX> 4,044 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,497 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,497 <EPS-BASIC> 0.59 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.57