WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES INC
10-Q, 1997-04-14
STEEL WORKS, BLAST FURNACES & ROLLING & FINISHING MILLS
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                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                   FORM 10 - Q

                  QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For Quarter Ended: February 28, 1997                  Commission File No. 0-4016


                          WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
           ___________________________________________________________
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

                DELAWARE                                 31-1189815
        ________________________            ____________________________________
        (State of Incorporation)            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

   1205 Dearborn Drive, Columbus, Ohio                     43085
________________________________________                 __________
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                 (Zip Code)

                                 (614) 438-3210
            ________________________________________________________
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

                                 Not Applicable
           ___________________________________________________________
              (Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year,
                          If Changed From Last Report)


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  Registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports)  and  (2)  has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.                        YES__X__       NO_____


Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  Issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

       Common Stock, $.01 par value                       96,624,973
       ____________________________               __________________________
                   Class                          Outstanding March 31, 1997


                                  Page 1 of 12
<PAGE>

                          WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                      INDEX



                                                                            Page
PART I.  Financial Information

  Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets -
  February 28, 1997 and May 31, 1996.........................................3

  Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings -
  Three and Nine Months Ended February 28, 1997 and February 29, 1996........4

  Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows -
  Nine Months Ended February 28, 1997 and February 29, 1996..................5

  Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.......................6

  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Results of Operations and Financial Condition..............................8


PART II. Other Information..................................................12


                                       -2-
<PAGE>


                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                          WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (In Thousands, Except Per Share)


                                                     February 28       May 31
                                                         1997           1996
                              ASSETS                 (Unaudited)      (Audited)
Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                         $     2,763     $    17,580
  Accounts receivable - net                             270,108         244,256
    Raw materials                                       185,151         130,839
    Work in process and finished products               101,081          85,320
                                                    -----------     -----------
  Inventories                                           286,232         216,159
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets              21,205          27,109
                                                    -----------     -----------
    Total Current Assets                                580,308         505,104
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates                  46,598         138,212
Intangible Assets                                        98,747          65,256
Other Assets                                            127,189          29,800
Property, plant and equipment                           989,535         848,775
Less accumulated depreciation                           336,406         304,723
                                                    -----------     -----------
    Property, Plant and Equipment - net                 653,129         544,052
                                                    -----------     -----------
    Total Assets                                    $ 1,505,971     $ 1,282,424
                                                    ===========     ===========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current Liabilities
  Accounts payable                                  $    97,389     $    88,718
  Notes payable                                         142,100
  Accrued compensation, contributions to
   employee benefit plans and related taxes              36,116          39,217
  Dividends payable                                      11,591          10,901
  Other accrued items                                    19,947          18,454
  Income taxes                                            6,625           7,820
  Current maturities of long-term debt                    1,980           2,475
                                                    -----------     -----------
    Total Current Liabilities                           315,748         167,585
Other Liabilities                                        18,949          17,912
Long-Term Debt                                          360,913         315,522
Deferred Income Taxes                                   112,092         114,087
Shareholders' Equity
  Common shares, $.01 par value                             966             965
  Additional paid-in capital                            108,401         106,079
   Unrealized loss on investment                         (3,126)
  Foreign currency translation                           (1,593)         (1,437)
   Retained earnings                                    593,621         561,711
                                                    -----------     -----------
    Total Shareholders' Equity                          698,269         667,318
                                                    -----------     -----------
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity      $ 1,505,971     $ 1,282,424
                                                    ===========     ===========

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

                                       -3-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>

                          WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
                  CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                         (In Thousands Except Per Share)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                 Three Months Ended               Nine Months Ended
                                               Feb. 28         Feb. 29         Feb. 28          Feb. 29
                                                 1997          1996             1997              1996
                                              ---------      ---------      -----------      -----------
<S>                                           <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>        
Net sales                                     $ 486,551      $ 386,454      $ 1,375,192      $ 1,107,966
Cost of goods sold                              418,312        325,226        1,177,910          939,399
                                              ---------      ---------      -----------      -----------
 Gross Margin                                    68,239         61,228          197,282          168,567

Selling, general & administrative expense        33,166         25,861           89,723           69,735
                                              ---------      ---------      -----------      -----------
 Operating Income                                35,073         35,367          107,559           98,832

Other income (expense):
   Miscellaneous income                             354            478            1,083              908
   Interest expense                              (4,386)        (1,919)         (11,623)          (4,795)
   Equity in net income of unconsolidated
      affiliates                                  3,525          4,683            9,293           24,561
                                              ---------      ---------      -----------      -----------
 Earnings Before Income Taxes                    34,566         38,609          106,312          119,506

Income taxes                                     12,749         14,550           39,867           45,111
                                              ---------      ---------      -----------      -----------
 Net Earnings                                 $  21,817      $  24,059      $    66,445      $    74,395
                                              =========      =========      ===========      ===========


Average Common Shares Outstanding                96,570         96,452           96,530           96,485


Earnings Per Common Share                     $     .23      $     .25      $       .69      $       .77
                                              ---------      ---------      -----------      -----------


Cash Dividends Declared
     Per Common Share                         $     .12      $     .11      $       .36      $       .33
                                              ---------      ---------      -----------      -----------

</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

                                       -4-
<PAGE>


                          WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
                 CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (In Thousands, Unaudited)


                                                            Nine Months Ended
                                                          Feb. 28       Feb. 29
                                                           1997           1996
                                                          -------       -------
Operating Activities
  Net earnings                                          $  66,445     $  74,395
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
   net cash provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                         40,209        30,054
     Deferred income taxes                                   (312)        6,652
     Equity in undistributed net income
        of unconsolidated affiliates                       (5,141)      (21,477)
     Changes in assets and liabilities:
         Current assets                                   (64,696)       34,914
         Other assets                                        (647)         (945)
         Current liabilities                               (6,348)       (3,001)
           Other liabilities                                1,232          (191)
                                                        ---------     ---------
     Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities             30,742       120,401

Investing Activities
  Investment in property, plant and equipment, net       (124,679)      (87,397)
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired                      (69,942)     (169,391)
  Investment in unconsolidated affiliates                  (5,424)       (8,310)
                                                        ---------     ---------
     Net Cash Used By Investing Activities               (200,045)     (265,098)

Financing Activities
  Proceeds from (payments on) short-term borrowings       142,100       155,600
  Proceeds from long-term debt                             63,469        45,550
  Principal payments on long-term debt                    (19,326)      (18,660)
  Proceeds from issuance of common shares                   2,156         2,275
   Repurchase of common shares                             (1,211)       (4,024)
  Dividends paid                                          (32,702)      (29,975)
                                                        ---------     ---------
     Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities            154,486       150,766
                                                        ---------     ---------

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents          (14,817)        6,069

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period           17,580         1,893
                                                        ---------     ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period              $   2,763     $   7,962
                                                        =========     =========

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.


                                       -5-
<PAGE>

                          WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)



Note A - Management's Opinion

               In  the  opinion  of  management,   the  accompanying   unaudited
        consolidated  condensed  financial  statements  contain all  adjustments
        (consisting of a normal  recurring  nature)  necessary to present fairly
        the financial position of Worthington Industries,  Inc. and Subsidiaries
        (the  Company) as of February 28, 1997 and May 31, 1996;  the results of
        operations  for the three and nine months  ended  February  28, 1997 and
        February 29, 1996, and cash flows for the nine months ended February 28,
        1997 and February 29, 1996.


               The accounting  policies followed by the Company are set forth in
        Note A to the consolidated  financial statements in the 1996 Worthington
        Industries,  Inc. Annual Report to Shareholders which is incorporated by
        reference in the Company's 1996 Form 10-K.


Note B - Income Taxes


               The  income  tax rate is based on  statutory  federal  and  state
        rates,  and an estimate of annual  earnings  adjusted for the  permanent
        differences between reported earnings and taxable income.


Note C - Earnings Per Share


               Earnings  per common  share for the three and nine  months  ended
        February  28,  1997 and  February  29,  1996 are  based on the  weighted
        average common shares outstanding during each of the respective periods.

Note D - Results of Operations

               The results of  operations  for the three and nine  months  ended
        February 28, 1997 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the results to be
        expected for the full year.


Note E - Accounting Change


               During the first quarter ended August 31, 1996,  the Company took
        certain steps  relative to its  investment in Rouge Steel which resulted
        in the Company accounting for this investment on the cost method instead
        of the equity  method.  As a result,  after May 31, 1996,  the Company's
        equity  share  of Rouge  earnings  is no  longer  included  in  reported
        earnings or earnings per share. The investment in Rouge common stock has
        been  reclassified  to other  assets and  adjusted to market value as an
        "available-for-sale"   security   with  a  net  of  tax   adjustment  to
        shareholder's equity.


                                       -6-
<PAGE>


Note F - Acquisitions
               On  December  3, 1996,  the  Company  acquired  the net assets of
        Plastics  Manufacturing,  Inc. (PMI) in a business combination accounted
        for as a purchase. PMI is a manufacturer of plastic injection molded and
        thermoformed  parts.  The results of operations  for PMI are included in
        the financial  statements of the Company since the date of  acquisition.
        Proforma  results  including  PMI since the  beginning  of the  earliest
        period presented would not be materially different than actual results.
               During  February  1997,  the Company  acquired The  Gerstenslager
        Company  (Gerstenslager)  in a business  combination  accounted for as a
        pooling of interests.  Gerstenslager  was primarily owned by JMAC, Inc.,
        an investment  company which John H.  McConnell,  Chairman  Emeritus and
        John P.  McConnell,  Chairman and CEO of the Company,  are the principle
        shareholders, is a producer of aftermarket automotive body panels in the
        United  States.  All of the stock of  Gerstenslager  was  exchanged  for
        5,675,000  shares of the Company.  The Board of Directors of the Company
        received an opinion from an independent  party attesting to the fairness
        of this consideration. All financial statements of the Company have been
        restated   to   include   Gerstenslager.   Sales  and  net   income  for
        Gerstenslager for the periods presented are as follows:

                             Three Months Ended            Nine Months Ended
                           Feb. 28        Feb. 29        Feb. 28      Feb. 29
     ($000)                  1997          1996            1997         1996
     ------                --------      --------        --------     -------
     Net sales             $32,533       $26,230          $89,353     $67,462
     Net income            $ 2,973       $ 3,163          $ 7,485     $ 5,803

Note G - Subsequent Event
               During March 1997, the Company issued  approximately  $93 million
        of three year  notes  exchangeable  into  Class A Common  Stock of Rouge
        Steel  Company  in the form of DECS (SM) (Debt  Exchangeable  for Common
        Stock (SM)).  The DECS have an interest  rate of 7.25% and are due March
        1, 2000.  At maturity,  holders of the DECS will receive in exchange for
        the  principle  amount of the notes,  shares of Rouge  Steel held by the
        Company (or at the Company's option,  cash in lieu of the shares). It is
        the  Company's  intention to settle the majority of the DECS using Rouge
        shares.  The  number of Rouge  shares (or the amount of cash to be paid)
        will be based upon the price of Rouge Steel Class A Common Stock shortly
        before the maturity of the DECS.  If the value of Rouge stock  increases
        to  a  certain  point  the  DECS  liability  would  increase,  partially
        offsetting  the market  value  increase  in the stock  included in other
        assets. Because the stock is considered an "available for sale" security
        a net of tax adjustment to shareholder's equity will be made for the net
        change  both  in  stock  value  and  the  carrying  amount  of the  DECS
        liability.  The Company used the net proceeds  from the DECS offering to
        pay down  short-term  notes  payable and to  partially  fund the Spartan
        Steel joint venture.


                                       -7-
<PAGE>


                          WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


        For the  three  months  ended  February  28,  1997,  net sales of $486.6
million were 26% higher than in last year's  third  quarter.  Net earnings  were
$21.8  million and  earnings per share were $.23.  Comparisons  with last year's
third quarter are  discussed  below.  These results and results from  comparable
periods in fiscal 1996  include  Gerstenslager,  which was  acquired in February
1997 through a pooling of interests.


        For the first nine months of fiscal 1997, net sales were $1.375 billion,
24% higher than in the same period last year.  Net earnings  were $66.4  million
and  earnings  per share  were $.69.  Comparisons  with last  year's  first nine
month's are discussed below.


        During the first quarter ended August 31, 1996, the Company took certain
steps relative to its  investment in Rouge Steel,  which resulted in the Company
accounting for this  investment on the cost method instead of the equity method.
As a result,  after May 31, 1996, the Company's equity share of Rouge's earnings
is no longer  included in reported  earnings or earnings per share.  The Company
believes that to appropriately  compare  periods,  fiscal 1996 results should be
adjusted to eliminate the impact of Rouge equity earnings.


        In the third  quarter  of fiscal  1996,  Rouge  contributed  $.02 to the
Company's reported earnings per share of $.25, and the steel, plastics, castings
and joint  venture  businesses  contributed  $.23 per share.  This year's  third
quarter earnings per share of $.23 (which does not include Rouge equity earnings
because of the accounting change), were equal to last year's results,  excluding
Rouge, of $.23 per share.


        In the first nine months of fiscal 1996,  Rouge  contributed $.13 to the
Company's reported earnings per share of $.77, and the steel, plastics, castings
and joint venture businesses  contributed $.64 per share. This year's first nine
months  earnings per share of $.69 (which does not include Rouge equity earnings
because of the  accounting  change),  were 8% higher than last  year's  results,
excluding Rouge, of $.64 per share.


        The sales  increase  for the quarter was driven by volume  increases  in
steel processing,  automotive body panels and cylinders, and the acquisitions of
the metal framing business, PMI and SCM Technologies. The sales increase for the
nine months principally reflects the inclusion of the metal framing business and
PMI and volume  increases in automotive body panels and cylinders.  Earnings for
the quarter were impacted by weaker than  expected  results in the metal framing
business and the Malvern steel  processing  facility  offset by  improvement  in
cylinders and plastics.  For the nine months,  earnings increases for automotive
body panels, cylinders and plastics offset lower results from cast products.


                                       -8-
<PAGE>


        Gross  margin was up 11% for the  quarter  and 17% for the nine  months.
Gross  margin as a  percentage  of sales for the quarter  was 14.0%  (15.8% last
year) and for the nine months was 14.3% (15.2% last year).  Material,  labor and
overhead  costs were higher for the quarter and nine months due to the inclusion
of the metal framing business for the full periods and only one month last year.
The acquisition of PMI also increased costs for the quarter.


        Selling,  general  and  administrative  expense  increased  28%  for the
quarter and 29% for the nine months due mostly to the  inclusion of expenses for
acquisitions  in the  current  year and not in the prior  year.  As a percent of
sales,  this  expense for the quarter was 6.8% (6.7% last year) and for the nine
months was 6.5% (6.3% last year).  Operating income was 1% lower for the quarter
and 9% higher for the nine month  period.  As a percentage  of sales,  operating
income was 7.2% for the  quarter  (9.2% last year) and 7.8% for the nine  months
(8.9% last year).


        Interest  expense  increased  129% for the three months and 142% for the
nine months.  Average debt outstanding  increased due to the acquisitions of the
metal framing business and PMI, and higher levels of capital  expenditures.  The
Company  capitalized  interest of  $2,027,000  ($410,000  last year)  during the
quarter and  $4,924,000  ($1,420,000  last year) for the nine  months.  Overall,
interest expense is expected to continue to increase as the Company continues to
fund its growth through debt financing.


        Equity in net income of  unconsolidated  affiliates was down 25% for the
quarter  and 62% for the  nine  months  because  of the  elimination  of  equity
earnings from the  investment in Rouge due to the  accounting  change  discussed
above. Excluding Rouge, equity in net income from unconsolidated  affiliates was
up 99% for the quarter and 90% year-to-date.  Equity from Worthington  Armstrong
Venture and Acerex were up significantly for both periods on increased volume.


        Income taxes decreased more than pre-tax earnings for both the three and
nine month periods as the effective tax rate was 36.9% and 37.5%,  respectively,
due to lower state taxes.


        The  processed  steel  products  segment  posted  record  sales for both
periods due to the inclusion of the metal framing  business and increased volume
for auto body panels and cylinders.  Steel  processing  shipments  improved from
both  periods  last  year;  however,  operating  margins  were lower due to weak
performance  at  the  Malvern,   Pennsylvania  plant,  which  is  replacing  its
electro-zinc  plating line with added nickel plating capacity,  and the start-up
of the Delta, Ohio facility.  Pressure cylinder's sales and operating income for

                                       -9-
<PAGE>


both  periods  were up because of  increased  volume for heating  tanks and high
pressure  cylinders and the acquisition of SCM. During the quarter,  the Company
formed a joint  venture with three major gas  distributors  in Brazil to produce
pressure  cylinders in that  country.  The metal framing  business,  although it
contributed  to the increased  sales and operating  income for the segment,  had
weaker than  expected  results due to selling  price  pressure and increased raw
material costs.  The auto body panel business  experienced  increased volume for
both periods and contributed higher operating income for the nine months.


        Sales and operating  income for the custom products  segment were up for
both the third quarter and nine months. The plastics  operation  increased sales
and earnings as it benefited from higher volume on its automotive  contracts and
the acquisition of PMI.  Precision Metals profits  increased above last year for
the quarter, but remained lower for the nine months.


        The cast products segment  continues to suffer from lower volume as both
sales and  operating  income were down for the quarter and nine  months.  Higher
industrial  casting  volume  was more  than  offset by lower  railroad  and mass
transit sales.





LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES


        At February 28, 1997, the Company's  current ratio was 1.8:1,  down from
3.0:1 at May 31, 1996,  due to an increase in  short-term  debt of $142 million.
Long-term  debt as a percentage of total  capital  increased to 34% from 32% and
total debt to capital  increased  to 42% from 32% as the Company  continued  its
planned growth mostly with debt  financing.  Working capital was $264.6 million,
38% of the Company's  total net worth,  down from 51% at May 31, 1996 mainly due
to a $142 million increase in short-term debt.


        During the nine months,  the Company's cash position  decreased by $14.8
million. Cash provided by operating activities was $30.7 million. Cash flow from
earnings increased compared to last year's nine months; however, a $64.7 million
increase in  inventories  reduced cash provided by  operations  below last year.
Inventory  levels have increased in  anticipation  of pending raw material price
increases  and  to  support  the  higher  sales  levels.  Capital  expenditures,
investments in affiliates and amounts spent for acquisitions of $200 million and
dividends  paid of $32.7  million  were  funded  in part from  $142  million  of
short-term  debt and an increase in net long-term  debt of $44 million.  Capital
expenditures  were up 42% over last year and will  continue  at high levels with
the construction of the Decatur,  Alabama steel processing plant, the new nickel
plating  line at the  Malvern  plant,  and  funding of the  Spartan  Steel joint
venture.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>


               The Company  expects its  operating  results and cash from normal
operating  activities to improve during the fourth quarter. As in the first nine
months of the year,  additional  borrowings may be needed to support anticipated
capital  expenditures.  Uncommitted  short-term  lines of  credit  were  used to
finance the PMI acquisition.  Immediate  borrowing  capacity plus cash generated
from operations  will be more than sufficient to fund expected normal  operating
cash needs,  dividends,  debt  payments  and capital  expenditures  for existing
businesses.

               During March 1997, the Company issued  approximately  $93 million
of three  year  notes  exchangeable  into  Class A Common  Stock of Rouge  Steel
Company in the form of DECS (SM) (Debt  Exchangeable for Common Stock (SM)). The
Company  used the net  proceeds  from the DECS  offering to pay down  short-term
notes payable and to partially fund the Spartan Steel joint  venture.  Since the
DECS obligation can be settled with either Rouge stock, cash or a combination of
both, for debt/capitalization purposes the Company does not consider the DECS as
debt.  These  securities  were  issued  as a part of the  $450  million  "shelf"
registration filed during fiscal 1996, of which $157 million remains unissued at
February 28, 1997.


FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

               This document contains various  forward-looking  statements based
on assumptions made by and information  currently available to management.  When
used in this document,  the words "expect," "believe," "estimate," "project" and
similar  expressions are intended to identify  forward-looking  statements.  The
Company  wishes to ensure that such  statements  are  accompanied  by meaningful
cautionary  statements  pursuant to the safe harbor  established  in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain
risks, uncertainties and assumptions including those identified in this section.
Should  one or more of  these  risks or  uncertainties  materialize,  or  should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect,  actual results may vary materially from
those expected, believed, estimated or projected. Additionally, new risk factors
may emerge from time to time and  management  cannot  predict such risk factors,
nor can it assess the  impact,  if any,  of such risk  factors on the  Company's
business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected in any  forward-looking
statements.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>


PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION



Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.


  A.    Exhibits - Exhibit 27 Financial Data Schedule

  B.    Reports on Form 8-K.  There were no reports on Form 8-K during the three
        months ended February 28, 1997.


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.



Date: April 14, 1997               By: /s/Donald  G. Barger, Jr.
                                       __________________________________
                                          Donald G. Barger, Jr.
                                          Vice President-Chief Financial Officer


                                   By: /s/Michael R. Sayre
                                       __________________________________
                                           Michael R. Sayre
                                           Controller


                                      -12-


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                              5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
CONSOLIDATED  CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON FORM 10Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>    1,000
<CURRENCY>      U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                            MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                               JUN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                 FEB-28-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                        1
<CASH>                                                             2,763
<SECURITIES>                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    273,700
<ALLOWANCES>                                                       3,592
<INVENTORY>                                                      286,232
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 580,308
<PP&E>                                                           989,535
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   336,406
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                 1,505,971
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            315,748
<BONDS>                                                          360,913
                                                  0
                                                            0
<COMMON>                                                             966
<OTHER-SE>                                                       697,303
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                   1,505,971
<SALES>                                                        1,375,192
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                               1,375,192
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        .69

        

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