<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The Schedule contains summary financial information
extracted from the 2nd Quarter Consolidated Balance Sheets
and Statement of Earnings and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999
<CASH>                                      19,636,281
<SECURITIES>                                11,196,724
<RECEIVABLES>                               50,820,336
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 65,835,221
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           151,404,783
<PP&E>                                     238,620,324
<DEPRECIATION>                              75,150,568
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             331,915,205
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       43,564,611
<BONDS>                                    131,426,421
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     3,289,254
<OTHER-SE>                                 123,803,799
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               331,915,205
<SALES>                                    174,742,368
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           174,742,368
<CGS>                                      138,971,322
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              138,971,322
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            16,383,702
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,294,617
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             16,902,727
<INCOME-TAX>                                 6,460,928
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          9,631,799
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 9,631,799
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .86