<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, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1997 <CASH> 8,313,160 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 3,681,973 <ALLOWANCES> 283,000 <INVENTORY> 7,072,377 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 20,208,130 <PP&E> 29,257,285 <DEPRECIATION> 14,767,236 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 37,084,054 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 8,648,440 <BONDS> 2,067,733 <COMMON> 37,726 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 23,687,860 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 37,084,054 <SALES> 88,570,970 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 88,570,970 <CGS> 73,816,030 <TOTAL-COSTS> 73,816,030 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 7,050,420 <LOSS-PROVISION> 36,606 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (64,032) <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,731,946 <INCOME-TAX> 3,093,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,638,946 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,638,946 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.40 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.39