<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Statement of Income, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cash Flow and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                             473
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   46,884
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     22,020
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                73,637
<PP&E>                                         105,321
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,233
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 149,405
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,864
<BONDS>                                          2,251
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           110
<OTHER-SE>                                      75,546
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   149,405
<SALES>                                        229,301
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               229,301
<CGS>                                          193,918
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  193,918
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                19,123
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,262
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,260
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,585
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,675
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,675
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0