<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-27-1997 <PERIOD-START> DEC-29-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-27-1997 <CASH> 11,268,855 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 58,427,599 <ALLOWANCES> 583,079 <INVENTORY> 91,728,398 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 165,916,647 <PP&E> 111,472,185 <DEPRECIATION> 49,332,059 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 235,164,124 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 65,217,172 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 17,172,558 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 235,164,124 <SALES> 840,971,709 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 840,971,709 <CGS> 764,669,437 <TOTAL-COSTS> 764,669,437 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 45,777,565 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,188,226 <INCOME-PRETAX> 27,708,917 <INCOME-TAX> 10,212,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 17,496,917 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 17,496,917 <EPS-PRIMARY> .98 <EPS-DILUTED> .98