<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996             AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996             NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                           7,797                   2,284
<SECURITIES>                                       710                     568
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,835<F1>              21,959<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (817)                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     11,650                  12,728
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                47,360                  41,792
<PP&E>                                         104,123                  74,833<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                (34,350)                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 152,227                 149,042
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,990                  23,935
<BONDS>                                        116,108                 116,127
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            12                      12
<OTHER-SE>                                     (3,813)                 (5,052)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   152,227                 149,042
<SALES>                                        159,462                  39,892
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               159,462                  39,892
<CGS>                                          117,592                  32,115
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  141,783                  37,763
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,657                     509
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,576                   3,364
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,312)                 (1,544)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       865                   (618)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,177)                   (926)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  1,265                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,442)                   (926)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.88)                  (0.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.88)                  (0.10)
<FN>
<F1>Shown Net of Allowance for both periods.
<F2>Shown Net of Depreciation for three month period
</FN>