<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                      45,764,652
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               39,926,328
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 64,452,354
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           152,683,589
<PP&E>                                     133,577,721
<DEPRECIATION>                            (14,171,962)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             292,409,258
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       53,249,906
<BONDS>                                     88,964,467
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       259,144
<OTHER-SE>                                 144,460,364
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               292,409,258
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,007,249,077
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              996,566,388
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,067,523
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              8,477,037
<INCOME-TAX>                                 3,070,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          5,407,037
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 5,407,037
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20