<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                          27,630
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   84,342
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,456
<INVENTORY>                                     60,944
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               189,996
<PP&E>                                         216,030
<DEPRECIATION>                                 112,604
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 384,798
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          127,345
<BONDS>                                        111,342
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     21,914
<COMMON>                                        14,125
<OTHER-SE>                                      66,791
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   384,798
<SALES>                                        526,624
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               526,624
<CGS>                                          387,340
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  387,340
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,607
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,493
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,318
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,527
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,791
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,791
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.51