<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                           7,147
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  308,001
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,535
<INVENTORY>                                    280,799
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               623,467
<PP&E>                                       1,229,913
<DEPRECIATION>                                 371,324
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,763,679
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          306,520
<BONDS>                                        510,618
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           968
<OTHER-SE>                                     761,558
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,763,679
<SALES>                                      1,539,267
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,539,267
<CGS>                                        1,323,182
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,323,182
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               105,188
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,470
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                106,353
<INCOME-TAX>                                    39,351
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             67,002
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 18,771
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    85,773
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .88