<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FILED AS PART OF THE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> MAR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-2000
<CASH> 5,515
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 29,589
<ALLOWANCES> 634
<INVENTORY> 85,092
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 129,689
<PP&E> 130,387
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 448,263
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 37,112
<BONDS> 113,687
0
0
<COMMON> 9,726
<OTHER-SE> 237,313
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 448,263
<SALES> 94,927
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 94,927
<CGS> 85,698
<TOTAL-COSTS> 85,698
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,997
<INCOME-PRETAX> 4,223
<INCOME-TAX> 240
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,983
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 3,983
<EPS-BASIC> 0.41
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.40
</TABLE>