<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-02-1998
<CASH>                                           1,921
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,044
<ALLOWANCES>                                       138
<INVENTORY>                                     32,790
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                62,412
<PP&E>                                          78,381
<DEPRECIATION>                                  43,538
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 283,335
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,611
<BONDS>                                        229,731
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (26,246)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   283,335
<SALES>                                         83,152
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                85,835
<CGS>                                           52,560
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   73,776
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (216)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  (15)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,337
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    938
<INCOME-TAX>                                       477
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                461
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       461
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .04