<ARTICLE>      5 
<LEGEND>  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
          FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
          OPERATIONS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD
          ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
          REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000 
       
                                                
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                     OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                       DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                                46,682
<SECURITIES>                                               0
<RECEIVABLES>                                         50,634
<ALLOWANCES>                                               0
<INVENTORY>                                           16,796
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     121,697
<PP&E>                                               264,454
<DEPRECIATION>                                             0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       461,564
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 50,670
<BONDS>                                              230,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                      0
<PREFERRED>                                                0
<COMMON>                                                  43
<OTHER-SE>                                           168,494
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         461,564
<SALES>                                               98,556
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      98,556
<CGS>                                                 61,538
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         61,538
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                       5,637
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     2,138
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                       29,243
<INCOME-TAX>                                           8,773
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                   20,470
<DISCONTINUED>                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                          20,470
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          $0.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          $0.40