<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM CONDENSED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                           2,384
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   33,687
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     27,098
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                65,049
<PP&E>                                         224,313
<DEPRECIATION>                                 118,477
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 176,948
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           32,119
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           507
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,940
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   176,948
<SALES>                                         50,240
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                50,273
<CGS>                                           42,403
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,545
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 867
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,861
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,583
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,278
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,278
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.45