<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S UNAUDITED AUGUST 31, 2000 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 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> MAY-31-2001
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000
<CASH> 7,951
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 63,906
<ALLOWANCES> 2,941
<INVENTORY> 249,347
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 356,138
<PP&E> 2,061,261
<DEPRECIATION> 801,760
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,827,040
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 167,847
<BONDS> 607,246
200,000
0
<COMMON> 25,067
<OTHER-SE> 697,081
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,829,040
<SALES> 365,172
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 365,172
<CGS> 291,684
<TOTAL-COSTS> 291,684
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> (373)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,307
<INCOME-PRETAX> 41,219
<INCOME-TAX> 13,767
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 25,664
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 25,664
<EPS-BASIC> 1.21
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.13
</TABLE>