<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUL-31-1998 <CASH> 4,742,551 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 9,758,381 <ALLOWANCES> 199,500 <INVENTORY> 19,244,765 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 35,410,651 <PP&E> 42,554,049 <DEPRECIATION> 15,381,658 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 88,921,121 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 19,105,926 <BONDS> 39,467,801 <COMMON> 54,221 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 27,650,878 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 88,921,121 <SALES> 64,177,114 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 64,177,114 <CGS> 49,344,649 <TOTAL-COSTS> 49,344,649 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 7,952,872 <LOSS-PROVISION> (9,500) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 742,861 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,146,232 <INCOME-TAX> 2,456,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,690,232 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,690,232 <EPS-PRIMARY> .77 <EPS-DILUTED> .74