<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 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000
<CASH> 2,407
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 27,367
<ALLOWANCES> 670
<INVENTORY> 76,338
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 114,724
<PP&E> 127,262
<DEPRECIATION> 156,740
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 426,289
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 34,845
<BONDS> 93,134
0
0
<COMMON> 9,701
<OTHER-SE> 238,729
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 426,289
<SALES> 333,792
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 333,792
<CGS> 296,608
<TOTAL-COSTS> 296,608
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,352
<INCOME-PRETAX> 11,028
<INCOME-TAX> 662
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 10,366
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 10,366
<EPS-BASIC> 1.07
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.06
</TABLE>