<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-01-1996
<CASH>                                           2,953
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,782
<ALLOWANCES>                                       268
<INVENTORY>                                     49,262
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               109,426
<PP&E>                                         253,660
<DEPRECIATION>                                 110,790
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 273,750
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,276
<BONDS>                                         61,513
<COMMON>                                         8,633
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     130,755
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   273,750
<SALES>                                         90,789
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                90,789
<CGS>                                           71,684
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   81,974
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,277
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,123
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,415
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,277
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,138
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,138
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .48