<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT JULY 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED) AND THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
JULY 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED).
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                          57,493
<SECURITIES>                                    25,655
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,193
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,152
<INVENTORY>                                     91,367
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               246,647
<PP&E>                                         412,267
<DEPRECIATION>                                 142,182
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 563,129
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          120,596
<BONDS>                                        421,129
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (141,490)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   563,129
<SALES>                                        519,399
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               519,399
<CGS>                                          435,800
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  435,800
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                35,108
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,799
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 20,832
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,894
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,938
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,938
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0