<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                        16227370
<SECURITIES>                                    171588
<RECEIVABLES>                                 37210725
<ALLOWANCES>                                   1236000
<INVENTORY>                                   71374113
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             126012091
<PP&E>                                        99134615
<DEPRECIATION>                                49509999
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               217648788
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         33399613
<BONDS>                                      106131614
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       2802767
<OTHER-SE>                                    66502728
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 217648788
<SALES>                                      262124533
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             263695604
<CGS>                                        183806140
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                249029920
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               1683000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             6397452
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                9228080
<INCOME-TAX>                                   3793000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            5435080
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   5435080
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.39