<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 9,633,365 <ALLOWANCES> 317,000 <INVENTORY> 9,779,744 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 19,885,482 <PP&E> 19,694,041 <DEPRECIATION> 3,911,540 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 42,389,832 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 13,826,502 <BONDS> 9,973,153 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 9,482,234 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 65,235 <OTHER-SE> 9,042,708 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 42,389,832 <SALES> 56,989,941 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 56,989,941 <CGS> 45,197,009 <TOTAL-COSTS> 45,197,009 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 8,283,994 <LOSS-PROVISION> (1,954) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,101,638 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,409,254 <INCOME-TAX> (167,932) <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,577,186 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,577,186 <EPS-PRIMARY> .17 <EPS-DILUTED> .17