<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BALANCE SHEET, INCOME STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-28-1998 <PERIOD-START> NOV-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> AUG-29-1998 <CASH> 4,294 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 217,572 <ALLOWANCES> 4,869 <INVENTORY> 162,846 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 439,611 <PP&E> 732,241 <DEPRECIATION> 327,691 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,014,146 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 237,200 <BONDS> 324,463 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 306 <COMMON> 13,980 <OTHER-SE> 322,337 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,014,146 <SALES> 986,144 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 986,144 <CGS> 676,723 <TOTAL-COSTS> 271,383 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,529 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,084 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19,548 <INCOME-PRETAX> 16,961 <INCOME-TAX> 11,400 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,952 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,952 <EPS-PRIMARY> .51 <EPS-DILUTED> .50