<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>                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                   SEP-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                     FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                               2,427
<SECURITIES>                         1,744
<RECEIVABLES>                       19,172  <F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                             0
<INVENTORY>                         10,281
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    35,842
<PP&E>                              82,513  <F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                           0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                     143,912
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               24,570
<BONDS>                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                    0
<PREFERRED>                              0
<COMMON>                                11
<OTHER-SE>                         (14,603)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>       143,912
<SALES>                             81,243
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                    81,243
<CGS>                               65,147
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       65,147
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    12,220
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                   6,704
<INCOME-PRETAX>                     (2,125)
<INCOME-TAX>                        (1,380)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                   (745)
<DISCONTINUED>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                          0
<CHANGES>                                0
<NET-INCOME>                          (745)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                       ($0.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                       ($0.06)
<FN>
<F1> Shown net of allowance
<F2> Shown net of depreciation
</FN>