<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM CONDENSED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JULY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1997
<CASH>                                             632
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    36916
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      31608
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 71165
<PP&E>                                          249526
<DEPRECIATION>                                  123584
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  200227
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            28681
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           509
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                       88411
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    200227
<SALES>                                          55914
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 56360
<CGS>                                            48297
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    48297
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1182
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   2981
<INCOME-TAX>                                      1206
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               1775
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1775
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .35