<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE REGISTRANT'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> $ 12,418,718 <SECURITIES> 3,079,084 <RECEIVABLES> 26,158,666 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 11,973,194 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 55,760,218 <PP&E> 63,492,651 <DEPRECIATION> 26,169,878 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 153,411,709 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 24,910,930 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9,083,498 <OTHER-SE> 93,375,545 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 153,411,709 <SALES> 171,977,619 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 171,977,619 <CGS> 95,336,719 <TOTAL-COSTS> 95,336,719 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 131,364 <INCOME-PRETAX> 33,522,616 <INCOME-TAX> 13,265,062 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 20,257,554 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 20,257,554 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.28 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.22