<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1999 <CASH> 135 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 17,429 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 85,978 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 102,809 <PP&E> 169,354 <DEPRECIATION> 61,212 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 226,784 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 77,992 <BONDS> 11,270 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 18,483 <COMMON> 119 <OTHER-SE> 71,004 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 226,784 <SALES> 65,750 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 65,866 <CGS> 21,899 <TOTAL-COSTS> 21,899 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,326 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,128 <INCOME-PRETAX> 11,140 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 11,140 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 11,140 <EPS-BASIC> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0