<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             883
<SECURITIES>                                     2,822
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,681
<ALLOWANCES>                                       620
<INVENTORY>                                      4,172
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                22,557
<PP&E>                                          29,288
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,853
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  75,491
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           13,020
<BONDS>                                         24,033
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      3,892
<COMMON>                                         3,306
<OTHER-SE>                                      29,565
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    36,763
<SALES>                                         81,272
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                81,272
<CGS>                                           61,675
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   76,001
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,529
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,469
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,558
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,104
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,104
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .80