WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Statements of Income, Balance Sheets and Statements of Cash Flows and is
qualified in its entirety by references to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                           2,388
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,150
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     34,899
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               116,071
<PP&E>                                         171,068
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,305
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 285,698
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,518
<BONDS>                                         89,178
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           110
<OTHER-SE>                                      90,980
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   285,698
<SALES>                                         98,120
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                98,120
<CGS>                                           85,131
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   85,131
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,425
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,964
<INCOME-TAX>                                       755
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,209
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,209
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .12