<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUL-31-1997 <CASH> 6,406,312 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 4,554,075 <ALLOWANCES> 273,077 <INVENTORY> 5,555,776 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 18,017,522 <PP&E> 28,771,223 <DEPRECIATION> 14,386,712 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 34,611,343 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 7,594,766 <BONDS> 2,133,138 <COMMON> 37,628 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 22,044,172 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 34,611,343 <SALES> 67,508,389 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 67,508,389 <CGS> 56,640,821 <TOTAL-COSTS> 56,640,821 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 5,515,703 <LOSS-PROVISION> 18,325 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,747 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,327,793 <INCOME-TAX> 2,129,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,198,793 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,198,793 <EPS-PRIMARY> .97 <EPS-DILUTED> .96