<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 10-Q FILING
FOR NINE MONTHS ENDED 12/28/97 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998             MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1997             DEC-29-1996
<CASH>                                          46,340                 122,491
<SECURITIES>                                       378                     378
<RECEIVABLES>                                  180,990                 191,675
<ALLOWANCES>                                       142                     107
<INVENTORY>                                     52,389                  68,125
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               324,680                 425,242
<PP&E>                                         523,255                 518,175
<DEPRECIATION>                                 189,470                 162,615
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 894,064               1,004,704
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          234,092                 326,197
<BONDS>                                        186,357                 237,071
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           59,972                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           121                     131
<OTHER-SE>                                     206,851                 218,661
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   894,064               1,004,704
<SALES>                                        787,811                 778,606
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               787,811                 778,606
<CGS>                                          650,196                 649,424
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  650,196                 649,424
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,564                  11,769
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,880                  27,334
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 48,605                  35,137
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,605                  35,137
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                   4,819
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    48,605                  39,956
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.72<F1>                3.07<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.62<F2>                2.98<F2>
<FN>
<F1>(1) Represents Basic EPS as defined under SFAS 128.
<F2>(2) Represents Diluted EPS as defined under SFAS 128.
</FN>