<ARTICLE>    5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                         3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                     JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                        AUG-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                4,447
<SECURITIES>                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                         35,603
<ALLOWANCES>                          1,398
<INVENTORY>                           61,497
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                      7,596
<PP&E>                                121,198
<DEPRECIATION>                        60,600
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                        221,728
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 80,697
<BONDS>                               134,255
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                 0
<PREFERRED>                           0
<COMMON>                              83
<OTHER-SE>                           (2,211)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>          221,728  
<SALES>                               53,853
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                      0
<CGS>                                 40,701
<TOTAL-COSTS>                         49,483
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      143
<LOSS-PROVISION>                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                    4,315
<INCOME-PRETAX>                      (88)
<INCOME-TAX>                          294
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                  (382)
<DISCONTINUED>                       (236)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                       0
<CHANGES>                             0
<NET-INCOME>                          618
<EPS-PRIMARY>                        (0.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                        (0.08)