<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1999 <CASH> 8,240 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 66,933 <ALLOWANCES> (1,343) <INVENTORY> 58,515 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 151,566 <PP&E> 187,635 <DEPRECIATION> (71,129) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 491,375 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 83,013 <BONDS> 198,251 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 27,912 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 491,375 <SALES> 193,142 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 193,142 <CGS> 127,957 <TOTAL-COSTS> 127,957 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 51,739 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,154 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,292 <INCOME-TAX> 2,140 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,747 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,747 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.34 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.34