<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS, BALANCE SHEETS, AND 10-K SCHEDULE
II, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                              90
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  246,504
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,324
<INVENTORY>                                    184,306
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               479,437
<PP&E>                                         330,539
<DEPRECIATION>                                 203,402
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 723,991
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          258,210
<BONDS>                                        197,424<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,770<F2>
<OTHER-SE>                                     250,629
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   723,991
<SALES>                                      1,110,434
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,110,434
<CGS>                                          726,118
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  360,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (8,473)<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   623
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,428
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,761
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,671
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,090
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,090
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.31
<FN>
<F1>TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT
<F2>DOES NOT INCLUDE ADDITIONAL PAID-IN-CAPITAL
<F3>OTHER INCOME, NET
</FN>