<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                      36,384,325
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               46,871,207
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 42,346,451
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           130,925,973
<PP&E>                                     121,233,006
<DEPRECIATION>                            (10,704,252)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             261,724,320
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       52,502,935
<BONDS>                                     64,774,267
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       257,947
<OTHER-SE>                                 138,713,794
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               261,724,320
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,166,664,621
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            1,145,320,892
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,042,616
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              7,482,534
<INCOME-TAX>                               (1,688,778)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          9,171,312
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 9,171,312
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .41