
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,743
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  114,626
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,059
<INVENTORY>                                    191,918
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               342,034
<PP&E>                                         547,948
<DEPRECIATION>                                 235,813
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 889,530
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          152,898
<BONDS>                                        282,554
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,698
<OTHER-SE>                                     375,824
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   889,530
<SALES>                                        208,889
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               208,889
<CGS>                                          137,007
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  137,007
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   191
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,966
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,314
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,043
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,271
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,271
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.59
        

</TABLE>
