<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996 <CASH> 5,413 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 50,640 <ALLOWANCES> 233 <INVENTORY> 45,021 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 109,221 <PP&E> 245,001 <DEPRECIATION> 106,395 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 269,217 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 51,447 <BONDS> 59,888 <COMMON> 8,618 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 127,546 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 269,217 <SALES> 343,934 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 343,934 <CGS> 273,238 <TOTAL-COSTS> 316,606 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 249 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,348 <INCOME-PRETAX> 24,731 <INCOME-TAX> 8,805 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 15,926 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 15,926 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.85 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.85