<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-2000 NOV-30-1999
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1999 DEC-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000 AUG-31-1999
<CASH> 9,542 9,675
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 142,338 132,650
<ALLOWANCES> 7,897 4,389
<INVENTORY> 91,881 98,681
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 253,694 252,832
<PP&E> 353,943 354,714
<DEPRECIATION> 208,268 202,814
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 467,647 472,697
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 110,978 117,938
<BONDS> 147,892 141,973
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 13,007 13,007
<OTHER-SE> 165,298 160,038
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 467,647 472,697
<SALES> 394,630 411,162
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 394,630 411,162
<CGS> 296,567 302,635
<TOTAL-COSTS> 296,567 302,635
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 84,668 86,003
<LOSS-PROVISION> 960 (717)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,466 10,524
<INCOME-PRETAX> 20,161 22,074
<INCOME-TAX> 5,040 7,064
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 15,121 15,010
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 15,121 15,010
<EPS-BASIC> 3.81 3.75
<EPS-DILUTED> 3.81 3.74
</TABLE>