<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-2001<F1>
<PERIOD-START> JAN-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000
<CASH> 13,808
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 62,142
<ALLOWANCES> 2,700
<INVENTORY> 43,672
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 124,462
<PP&E> 185,013
<DEPRECIATION> 102,406
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 300,915
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 61,898
<BONDS> 114,386
11,374
0
<COMMON> 5,784
<OTHER-SE> 108,748
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 300,915
<SALES> 91,982
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 91,982
<CGS> 60,421
<TOTAL-COSTS> 81,504
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 639
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,200
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,955
<INCOME-PRETAX> 8,913
<INCOME-TAX> 3,103
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,171
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 5,171
<EPS-BASIC> .45
<EPS-DILUTED> .42
<FN>
<F1>Current info. is for 1st quarter of this fiscal year-end
</FN>
</TABLE>