<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                        16965580
<SECURITIES>                                    942380
<RECEIVABLES>                                 37462000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   1294000
<INVENTORY>                                   55746667
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             111805068
<PP&E>                                        97266706
<DEPRECIATION>                                43965653
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               202984068
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         20297265
<BONDS>                                      106341034
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       2802767
<OTHER-SE>                                    64831931
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 202984068
<SALES>                                      247990541
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             249632297
<CGS>                                        179998688
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                181144680
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               1773553
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             6649676
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                4471969
<INCOME-TAX>                                   1731000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            2740969
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   2740969
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .26