<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          16,750
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  298,606
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,328
<INVENTORY>                                    295,559
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               643,859
<PP&E>                                       1,246,989
<DEPRECIATION>                                 318,806
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,845,766
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          505,551
<BONDS>                                        424,661
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     721,155
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,845,766
<SALES>                                      1,267,782
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,267,782
<CGS>                                        1,064,597
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,064,597
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               104,638
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,070
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 87,532
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,387
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             55,145
<DISCONTINUED>                                (14,238)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,907
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .44