<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS PERIOD
ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE OF SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          18,077
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  298,362
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,972
<INVENTORY>                                    355,544
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               727,269
<PP&E>                                       1,170,386
<DEPRECIATION>                                 304,405
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,764,670
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          538,005
<BONDS>                                        363,015
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     669,284
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,764,670
<SALES>                                      1,422,777
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,422,777
<CGS>                                        1,174,919
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,174,919
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,607
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                115,514
<INCOME-TAX>                                    43,318
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             72,196
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    72,196
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .81