<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON FORM 10Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                           6,300
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  260,751
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,408
<INVENTORY>                                    278,639
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               580,147
<PP&E>                                       1,189,108
<DEPRECIATION>                                 373,554
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,674,947
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          321,388
<BONDS>                                        454,089
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           969
<OTHER-SE>                                     735,045
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,674,947
<SALES>                                      1,020,747
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,020,747
<CGS>                                          876,625
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  876,625
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                69,440
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,654
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 70,880
<INCOME-TAX>                                    26,226
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,654
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,654
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .46