<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 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> FEB-28-2001
<PERIOD-START> MAR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000
<CASH> 0
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 62,031
<ALLOWANCES> 4,700
<INVENTORY> 75,122
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 146,614
<PP&E> 380,707
<DEPRECIATION> 165,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 408,748
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 90,112
<BONDS> 129,472
0
0
<COMMON> 352
<OTHER-SE> 152,055
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 408,748
<SALES> 254,855
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 254,855
<CGS> 208,665
<TOTAL-COSTS> 208,665
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 34,488
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,716
<INCOME-PRETAX> 6,809
<INCOME-TAX> 2,519
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,290
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 4,290
<EPS-BASIC> 0.30
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.30
</TABLE>