<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                          12,171
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   84,158
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,917
<INVENTORY>                                     61,914
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               174,481
<PP&E>                                         217,167
<DEPRECIATION>                                 115,132
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 366,380
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          110,959
<BONDS>                                        111,755
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     21,914
<COMMON>                                        14,088
<OTHER-SE>                                      64,337
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   366,380
<SALES>                                        128,530
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               128,530
<CGS>                                           97,408
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   97,408
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   536
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,533
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,372
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,464
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,908
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,908
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .22