<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED FEBRUARY 27,
1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000 
       
<S>                             <C>                                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                                           
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-28-1998                          
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-27-1998                          
<CASH>                                           5,535                          
<SECURITIES>                                         0                          
<RECEIVABLES>                                   61,011                          
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,277                          
<INVENTORY>                                    149,368                          
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               217,471                          
<PP&E>                                         489,416                          
<DEPRECIATION>                                 249,259                          
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 484,047                          
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           86,354                          
<BONDS>                                        263,700                          
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                          
<PREFERRED>                                          0                          
<COMMON>                                           133                          
<OTHER-SE>                                      98,660                          
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   484,047                          
<SALES>                                        519,066                          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               519,066                          
<CGS>                                          436,091                          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  478,481                          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,069                          
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   155                          
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,371                          
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,145                          
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,060                          
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,085                          
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                          
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                          
<CHANGES>                                            0                          
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,085                          
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.14                          
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.12                          
                                                                                

</TABLE>