<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1996
<CASH>                                          11,209
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,973
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     37,218
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                69,771
<PP&E>                                         112,255
<DEPRECIATION>                                  47,835
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 149,950
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           48,965
<BONDS>                                         12,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     14,982
<COMMON>                                           121
<OTHER-SE>                                      50,591
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   149,950
<SALES>                                        110,082
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               110,520
<CGS>                                           42,120
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   42,120
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,277
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,640
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,596
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,596
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,596
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0