<ARTICLE>      5
<LEGEND>       THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
               FROM THE ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN
               ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                   SEP-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                     NOV-30-1999
<CASH>                               2,826
<SECURITIES>                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                       24,300  <F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                             0
<INVENTORY>                         13,371
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    43,417
<PP&E>                              89,272  <F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                           0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                     153,840
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               22,069
<BONDS>                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                    0
<PREFERRED>                              0
<COMMON>                                11
<OTHER-SE>                         (27,057)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>       153,840
<SALES>                             47,613
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                    47,613
<CGS>                               37,389
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       37,389
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                     8,962
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                   3,060
<INCOME-PRETAX>                     (2,041)
<INCOME-TAX>                          (735)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                 (1,306)
<DISCONTINUED>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                          0
<CHANGES>                                0
<NET-INCOME>                        (1,306)
<EPS-BASIC>                       ($0.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                       ($0.11)
<FN>
<F1> Shown net of allowance
<F2> Shown net of depreciation
</FN>