<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997 <CASH> 2,327,657 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 7,252,772 <ALLOWANCES> 281,327 <INVENTORY> 5,267,989 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 15,887,854 <PP&E> 27,404,549 <DEPRECIATION> 13,579,175 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 32,241,906 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,539,375 <BONDS> 2,724,409 <COMMON> 37,378 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 20,139,105 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 32,241,906 <SALES> 20,730,840 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 20,730,840 <CGS> 17,615,553 <TOTAL-COSTS> 17,615,553 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,734,301 <LOSS-PROVISION> 10,327 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 37,828 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,332,831 <INCOME-TAX> 530,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 802,831 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 802,831 <EPS-PRIMARY> .24 <EPS-DILUTED> .24