<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 1999
ANNUAL REPORT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-2000             JAN-31-1999             JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-2000             JAN-31-1999             JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                          23,188                  11,460                  12,966
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   54,934                  72,354                  62,271
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,511                   1,009                     743
<INVENTORY>                                     47,487                  62,015                  52,280
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               130,846                 153,723                 140,693
<PP&E>                                         187,776                 210,700                 200,425
<DEPRECIATION>                                 101,060                 110,625                  99,278
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 312,694                 347,857                 349,592
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           64,679                  59,175                  59,630
<BONDS>                                        109,043                 142,783                 144,785
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           11,374                  15,949                  20,590
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                         5,784                   5,858                   5,994
<OTHER-SE>                                     107,149                 113,636                 104,557
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   312,694                 347,857                 349,592
<SALES>                                        324,778                 407,930                 369,865
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               324,778                 407,930                 369,865
<CGS>                                          214,348                 281,195                 259,605
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  305,972                 371,245                 329,095
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,039                 (4,755)                   (150)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,686                  10,940                   9,440
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,111                  31,255                  32,090
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,177                   9,885                  11,050
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,934                  21,370                  21,040
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,934                  21,370                  21,040
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .40                    1.77                    1.73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .40                    1.63                    1.60


</TABLE>