<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT AS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1996 <CASH> 1,415,773 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 5,126,330 <ALLOWANCES> 271,000 <INVENTORY> 10,014,627 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 17,434,784 <PP&E> 27,273,330 <DEPRECIATION> 13,176,403 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 34,092,131 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 9,080,571 <BONDS> 2,958,705 <COMMON> 36,873 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 19,214,343 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 34,092,131 <SALES> 81,506,943 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 81,506,943 <CGS> 69,093,075 <TOTAL-COSTS> 69,093,075 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,296,512 <LOSS-PROVISION> 161,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 434,148 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,522,208 <INCOME-TAX> 2,208,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,314,208 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,314,208 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.02 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.01