<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM QUARTERLY REPORT AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1999 <CASH> 74 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 18,482 <ALLOWANCES> (883) <INVENTORY> 42,777 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 64,635 <PP&E> 68,685 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 148,889 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 22,981 <BONDS> 127,987 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 35 <OTHER-SE> (14,439) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 148,889 <SALES> 118,389 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 118,389 <CGS> 91,600 <TOTAL-COSTS> 91,600 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 5,743 <LOSS-PROVISION> 225 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,869 <INCOME-PRETAX> (765) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (765) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (765) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0