<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 226,320 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 18,831,421 <ALLOWANCES> 430,000 <INVENTORY> 23,951,731 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 44,080,243 <PP&E> 43,574,615 <DEPRECIATION> 15,881,755 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 74,575,014 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 18,455,920 <BONDS> 12,639,401 <COMMON> 1,039,642 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 74,575,014 <SALES> 146,140,460 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 146,140,460 <CGS> 121,564,238 <TOTAL-COSTS> 121,564,238 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 12,328,511 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,062,419 <INCOME-PRETAX> 11,185,292 <INCOME-TAX> 4,468,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,717,292 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,717,292 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.64 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.64