<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<CASH>                                           2,590
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,994
<ALLOWANCES>                                       658
<INVENTORY>                                     33,548
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                60,935
<PP&E>                                          68,730
<DEPRECIATION>                                  56,271
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 143,618
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           32,973
<BONDS>                                        112,682
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            36
<OTHER-SE>                                    (13,162)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   143,618
<SALES>                                        185,077
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               185,077
<CGS>                                          148,496
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  148,496
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,112
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,300
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,302
<INCOME-TAX>                                       495
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,797
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (8,023)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,226)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.82)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.64)