<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<CASH>                                        12964665
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 35515093
<ALLOWANCES>                                   1588000
<INVENTORY>                                   71323948
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             121385562
<PP&E>                                       102412436
<DEPRECIATION>                                54928397
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               204184503
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         19138557
<BONDS>                                       98018065
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       2822034
<OTHER-SE>                                    74548558
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 204184503
<SALES>                                      306294851
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             307813861
<CGS>                                        227998972
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                293905868
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               1857000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             6084065
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                9482116
<INCOME-TAX>                                   3916000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            5566116
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   5566116
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      054
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      040