<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-1996 <CASH> 9,282,154 <SECURITIES> 1,533,000 <RECEIVABLES> 21,043,936 <ALLOWANCES> (345,680) <INVENTORY> 12,155,467 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 49,556,968 <PP&E> 110,781,206 <DEPRECIATION> (52,857,763) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 116,767,479 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 16,723,749 <BONDS> 19,024,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 723,352 <OTHER-SE> 76,989,781 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 116,767,479 <SALES> 117,532,387 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 117,532,387 <CGS> 82,398,383 <TOTAL-COSTS> 113,201,543 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (871,816) <LOSS-PROVISION> 156,752 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,444,322 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,601,586 <INCOME-TAX> 1,041,590 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,559,996 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,559,996 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.38 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.38