EXHIBIT 27
 
 
                            EXHIBIT 27
                                  
 
                                        
 
 <ARTICLE>                                      5
 <PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
 <FISCAL-YEAR-END>                    DEC-31-1998
 <PERIOD-END>                         MAR-31-1998
 <CASH>                                28,396,371
 <SECURITIES>                                   0
 <RECEIVABLES>                         34,531,449
 <ALLOWANCES>                             669,036
 <INVENTORY>                           36,218,144
 <CURRENT-ASSETS>                     103,705,704
 <PP&E>                               140,428,823
 <DEPRECIATION>                        68,479,927
 <TOTAL-ASSETS>                       202,795,793
 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 26,223,899
 <BONDS>                               12,586,000
 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
 <PREFERRED>                                    0
 <COMMON>                               9,577,621
 <OTHER-SE>                           123,378,606
 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         202,795,793
 <SALES>                               48,598,350
 <TOTAL-REVENUES>                      48,917,690
 <CGS>                                 32,797,645
 <TOTAL-COSTS>                         41,523,939
 <OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
 <LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
 <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                       172,629
 <INCOME-PRETAX>                        7,221,122
 <INCOME-TAX>                           2,565,000
 <INCOME-CONTINUING>                    4,656,122
 <DISCONTINUED>                                 0
 <EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
 <CHANGES>                                      0
 <NET-INCOME>                           4,656,122
 <EPS-PRIMARY>                                .49
 <EPS-DILUTED>                                .49