<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                   SEP-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                     FEB-28-1999
<CASH>                               2,857
<SECURITIES>                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                       22,495  <F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                             0
<INVENTORY>                         12,702
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    41,789
<PP&E>                              90,402  <F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                           0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                     151,549
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               30,867
<BONDS>                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                    0
<PREFERRED>                              0
<COMMON>                                11
<OTHER-SE>                         (24,808)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>       151,549
<SALES>                             88,034
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                    88,034
<CGS>                               66,791
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       66,791
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    15,710
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                   7,119
<INCOME-PRETAX>                     (1,584)
<INCOME-TAX>                          (571)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                 (1,013)
<DISCONTINUED>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                          0
<CHANGES>                                0
<NET-INCOME>                        (1,013)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                       ($0.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                       ($0.09)
<FN>
<F1> Shown net of allowance
<F2> Shown net of depreciation
</FN>