<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-01-1997
<CASH>                                             778
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,222
<ALLOWANCES>                                       273
<INVENTORY>                                     52,541
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               122,962
<PP&E>                                         270,353
<DEPRECIATION>                                 118,541
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 295,403
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           67,014
<BONDS>                                         72,483
<COMMON>                                         8,682
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     135,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   295,403
<SALES>                                        288,346
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               288,346
<CGS>                                          235,603
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  266,231
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,356
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,561
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,198
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,685
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,513
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,513
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.22