<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-2000 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-2000 <CASH> 69 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 21,773 <ALLOWANCES> 833 <INVENTORY> 47,977 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 73,619 <PP&E> 66,585 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 154,898 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 26,662 <BONDS> 128,588 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 36 <OTHER-SE> (13,515) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 154,898 <SALES> 124,997 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 124,997 <CGS> 95,879 <TOTAL-COSTS> 95,879 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,245 <LOSS-PROVISION> 175 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,215 <INCOME-PRETAX> 315 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 315 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 315 <EPS-BASIC> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0