<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> US DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 8,430 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 76,075 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 63,014 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 157,303 <PP&E> 180,541 <DEPRECIATION> 61,837 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 500,148 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 82,193 <BONDS> 214,003 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 33,085 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 500,148 <SALES> 325,238 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 325,238 <CGS> 205,983 <TOTAL-COSTS> 205,983 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 72,637 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,921 <INCOME-PRETAX> 36,697 <INCOME-TAX> 12,477 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,220 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 24,220 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.20 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.88