<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 10Q
FILING FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED 10/1/00 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2001 MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000 APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-01-2000 OCT-03-1999
<CASH> 25,145 45,765
<SECURITIES> 427 427
<RECEIVABLES> 262,407 244,881
<ALLOWANCES> 984 1,056
<INVENTORY> 39,002 53,629
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 337,643 351,050
<PP&E> 572,724 572,162
<DEPRECIATION> (250,498) (236,534)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 886,845 905,984
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 341,580 356,593
<BONDS> 242,209 277,109
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 208 139
<OTHER-SE> 148,651 114,808
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 886,845 905,984
<SALES> 541,703 525,510
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 541,703 525,510
<CGS> 432,541 417,202
<TOTAL-COSTS> 432,541 417,202
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 3,783 4,805
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 17,945 17,462
<INCOME-PRETAX> 47,187 40,830
<INCOME-TAX> 16,138 10,232
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 31,049 30,598
<DISCONTINUED> 0 9,450
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 31,049 40,048
<EPS-BASIC> 2.27 2.61
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.23 2.55
</TABLE>