<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The Schedule contains summary financial information extracted
from the 1st Quarter Consolidated Balance Sheets and
Statement of Earnings and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-2000
<CASH>                                      28,764,639
<SECURITIES>                                11,965,655
<RECEIVABLES>                               49,270,917
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 72,412,995
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           169,689,325
<PP&E>                                     243,666,727
<DEPRECIATION>                              82,473,049
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             347,423,711
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       53,993,283
<BONDS>                                    120,150,031
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     3,823,077
<OTHER-SE>                                 135,331,367
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               347,423,711
<SALES>                                     91,405,132
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            91,405,132
<CGS>                                       74,954,329
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               74,954,329
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             7,975,274
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,775,841
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,699,688
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,745,305
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,954,383
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,954,383
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.36