<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 STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-02-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-28-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-26-2000
<CASH>                                           5,521
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  224,625
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,918
<INVENTORY>                                    156,964
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               429,424
<PP&E>                                         763,752
<DEPRECIATION>                                 365,559
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,008,735
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          236,777
<BONDS>                                        250,579
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        306
<COMMON>                                        14,115
<OTHER-SE>                                     383,216
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,008,735
<SALES>                                        991,506
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               991,506
<CGS>                                          687,388
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  229,383
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,219
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,250
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,999
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 54,517
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,171
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             34,896
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    34,896
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.47