<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1998 <CASH> 16226023 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 41273911 <ALLOWANCES> 1222000 <INVENTORY> 57290758 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 116697372 <PP&E> 106900854 <DEPRECIATION> 57910550 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 205715045 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 23321692 <BONDS> 91171158 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2826611 <OTHER-SE> 76578665 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 205715045 <SALES> 94762818 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 95334436 <CGS> 68772087 <TOTAL-COSTS> 69176240 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 454000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18131737 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2982618 <INCOME-TAX> 1214000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1768618 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1768618 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.17 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.13