<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                      10,749,234
<SECURITIES>                                 1,509,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               19,194,119
<ALLOWANCES>                                   272,482
<INVENTORY>                                 10,391,103
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            46,822,916
<PP&E>                                     114,242,453
<DEPRECIATION>                            (57,852,076)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             114,683,797
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       16,231,704
<BONDS>                                     17,052,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       723,552
<OTHER-SE>                                  77,373,826
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               114,683,797
<SALES>                                    119,319,414
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           119,319,414
<CGS>                                       83,328,206
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               83,328,206
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            27,122,665
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                25,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,349,511
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              7,494,032
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,135,799
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          5,358,233
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 5,358,233
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.81