<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. ****(COLUMNAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)**** </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 28,897 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 31,952 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 3,855 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 66,805 <PP&E> 48,651 <DEPRECIATION> 3,513 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 124,763 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 23,846 <BONDS> 12,231 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 49 <OTHER-SE> 66,541 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 124,763 <SALES> 74,102 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 74,102 <CGS> 52,132 <TOTAL-COSTS> 52,132 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,694 <INCOME-PRETAX> 25,118 <INCOME-TAX> 10,977 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,413 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 12,413 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.53 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.53