<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1996
<CASH>                                           10885
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    22841<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                       707
<INVENTORY>                                       9956
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 49108
<PP&E>                                           65375<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  157245
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            17577
<BONDS>                                         117446
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            12
<OTHER-SE>                                        5211
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    157245
<SALES>                                         115250
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                115250
<CGS>                                            85216
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   100414
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  3664
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               10022
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   2224
<INCOME-TAX>                                      1662
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                562
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   1265
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (703)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.12)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.12)
<FN>
<F1>SHOWN NET OF ALLOWANCE
<F2>SHOWN NET OF DEPRECIATION
</FN>