<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FILED AS
PART OF THE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-2000
<CASH>                                           2,639
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,006
<ALLOWANCES>                                       938
<INVENTORY>                                     98,053
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               132,886
<PP&E>                                         132,257
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 452,253
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           32,793
<BONDS>                                        125,162
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,726
<OTHER-SE>                                     233,817
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   452,253
<SALES>                                         75,822
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                75,822
<CGS>                                           67,409
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   67,409
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,986
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,099
<INCOME-TAX>                                       955
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,144
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,144
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.22