<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1996 <CASH> 8,233,211 <SECURITIES> 1,905,000 <RECEIVABLES> 23,311,456 <ALLOWANCES> 278,487 <INVENTORY> 11,064,621 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 48,838,001 <PP&E> 114,437,608 <DEPRECIATION> (56,625,627) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 117,934,212 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 17,202,532 <BONDS> 18,978,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 723,552 <OTHER-SE> 77,914,013 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 117,934,212 <SALES> 40,525,138 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 40,525,138 <CGS> 28,233,253 <TOTAL-COSTS> 28,233,253 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 9,048,680 <LOSS-PROVISION> 75,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 467,195 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,701,010 <INCOME-TAX> 770,707 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,930,303 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,930,303 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.29 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.29