<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