<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 4,771 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 20,775,228 <ALLOWANCES> 430,000 <INVENTORY> 24,994,264 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 46,762,334 <PP&E> 41,593,701 <DEPRECIATION> 14,836,541 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 76,426,871 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 18,301,853 <BONDS> 19,696,682 <COMMON> 942,454 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 76,426,871 <SALES> 44,173,303 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 44,173,303 <CGS> 37,036,681 <TOTAL-COSTS> 37,036,681 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 3,949,378 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 349,845 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,837,399 <INCOME-TAX> 1,152,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,685,399 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,685,399 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.17 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.17