<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                      33,001,504
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               42,150,480
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 36,951,892
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           113,315,834
<PP&E>                                      34,055,163
<DEPRECIATION>                              (7,218,868)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             161,052,487
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       46,094,524
<BONDS>                                     37,684,067
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       209,830
<OTHER-SE>                                  71,462,054
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               161,052,487
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           470,822,944
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              462,096,897
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,370,280
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,749,663
<INCOME-TAX>                                   270,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          4,479,663
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,479,663
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .21