<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           1,100
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  257,981
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,990
<INVENTORY>                                    102,579
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               406,805
<PP&E>                                       1,089,140
<DEPRECIATION>                                 475,561
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,719,881
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          439,718
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,638
<OTHER-SE>                                     872,885
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,719,881
<SALES>                                        564,036
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               564,036
<CGS>                                          469,538
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  469,538
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               107,718
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   911
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,401
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (28,829)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (10,416)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (18,413)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (18,413)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.26)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.26)