<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1999
<CASH>                                      17,761,092
<SECURITIES>                                10,419,876
<RECEIVABLES>                               50,974,724
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 69,973,178
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           154,433,459
<PP&E>                                     235,133,880
<DEPRECIATION>                              71,546,114
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             335,077,804
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       48,984,929
<BONDS>                                    135,191,362
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     2,858,128
<OTHER-SE>                                 119,397,664
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               335,077,804
<SALES>                                     73,403,567
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            73,403,567
<CGS>                                       58,435,125
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               58,435,125
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             7,353,364
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,212,943
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,402,135
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,542,021
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,860,114
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,860,114
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.35