<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AS OF APRIL 30, 2000 AND THE INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
APRIL 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000
<CASH> 23,340
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 115,504
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 104,199
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 257,009
<PP&E> 786,424
<DEPRECIATION> (370,440)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 756,331
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 149,947
<BONDS> 236,874
0
0
<COMMON> 7,097
<OTHER-SE> 289,475
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 756,331
<SALES> 442,565
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 442,565
<CGS> 366,298
<TOTAL-COSTS> 417,507
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,350
<INCOME-PRETAX> 20,208
<INCOME-TAX> 7,004
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,204
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 358
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 13,562
<EPS-BASIC> 0.97
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.93
</TABLE>