WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE>                             5
       
                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                         3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                     Aug-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                        Sep-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                          Nov-30-1997
<CASH>                                $13,077
<SECURITIES>                          $0
<RECEIVABLES>                         $24,015
<ALLOWANCES>                          $543
<INVENTORY>                           $65,725
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                      $109,704
<PP&E>                                $242,120
<DEPRECIATION>                        $63,021
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                        $342,210
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 $52,577
<BONDS>                               $200,988
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                 0
<PREFERRED>                           0
<COMMON>                              0
<OTHER-SE>                            $53,662
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>          $342,210
<SALES>                               $213,302
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                      $213,302
<CGS>                                 $186,121
<TOTAL-COSTS>                         $19,116
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      $0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                      $75
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                    $5,724
<INCOME-PRETAX>                       $1,207
<INCOME-TAX>                          $482
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                   $725
<DISCONTINUED>                        $0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                       $0
<CHANGES>                             $0
<NET-INCOME>                          $725
<EPS-PRIMARY>                         $0
<EPS-DILUTED>                         $0