<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1998 <CASH> 35,851 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 89,900 <ALLOWANCES> 2,703 <INVENTORY> 65,992 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 208,103 <PP&E> 232,804 <DEPRECIATION> 124,940 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 409,225 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 122,959 <BONDS> 108,533 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 21,531 <COMMON> 14,270 <OTHER-SE> 94,611 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 409,225 <SALES> 576,449 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 576,449 <CGS> 433,606 <TOTAL-COSTS> 433,606 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 561 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,204 <INCOME-PRETAX> 49,310 <INCOME-TAX> 16,503 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 32,807 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 32,807 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.23 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.90