<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                              15
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,856
<ALLOWANCES>                                       658
<INVENTORY>                                     37,112
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                62,124
<PP&E>                                          65,885
<DEPRECIATION>                                  51,129
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 136,574
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           27,561
<BONDS>                                         95,614
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            34
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,064
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   136,574
<SALES>                                        170,865
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               170,865
<CGS>                                          140,234
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  140,234
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 6,775
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,769
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,509)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,509)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,509)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.04)