<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1997
<CASH>                                          31,881
<SECURITIES>                                    11,190
<RECEIVABLES>                                  161,275
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    227,199
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               489,858
<PP&E>                                         525,302
<DEPRECIATION>                               (336,538)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 883,978
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          189,467
<BONDS>                                        411,467
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,330
<OTHER-SE>                                     220,950
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   883,978
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               944,357
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  882,232
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                27,704
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              40,053
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,632)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,264)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,368)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,654)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,022)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.24)