<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-1997 <CASH> 357,017 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 318,492 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 17,106,959 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 20,752,306 <PP&E> 25,479,490 <DEPRECIATION> 10,806,285 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 36,367,658 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 20,905,303 <BONDS> 7,161,658 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 53,005 <OTHER-SE> 15,355,845 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 37,670,849 <SALES> 52,933,216 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 53,760,299 <CGS> 35,335,951 <TOTAL-COSTS> 35,720,299 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 20,635,496 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 732,844 <INCOME-PRETAX> (3,276,920) <INCOME-TAX> (27,820) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (3,249,100) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (3,249,100) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.62) <EPS-DILUTED> 0