WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE>    5
       
                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                       9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                  SEPT-30-1997
<CASH>                                           5,588,745
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   52,885,023
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,008,132
<INVENTORY>                                     67,437,708
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               127,213,202
<PP&E>                                         146,448,907
<DEPRECIATION>                                  67,363,939
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 220,709,822
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           50,308,451
<BONDS>                                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        37,008,760
<OTHER-SE>                                      80,719,184
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   220,709,822
<SALES>                                        122,014,132
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               122,014,132
<CGS>                                           98,176,918
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   22,451,879
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (1,300,295)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   326,708
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 786,637
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,572,285
<INCOME-TAX>                                       591,700 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                980,585
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                       980,585
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .26