<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,
1999 FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRANTS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          34,093
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  475,403
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,132
<INVENTORY>                                    464,589
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         547,257
<DEPRECIATION>                                  82,668
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,392,819
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          362,407
<BONDS>                                        355,799
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        23,563
<OTHER-SE>                                     556,665
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,392,819
<SALES>                                      1,131,255
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,227,005
<CGS>                                          802,991
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,147,544
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,361
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,581
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,519
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,533
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,986
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,986
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .62