<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1999 <CASH> 5,177,821 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 39,125,854 <ALLOWANCES> 682,168 <INVENTORY> 26,679,456 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 72,865,692 <PP&E> 203,859,370 <DEPRECIATION> 101,924,974 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 188,231,327 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 31,752,671 <BONDS> 62,847,824 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9,570,973 <OTHER-SE> 80,872,593 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 188,231,327 <SALES> 64,717,803 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 64,717,803 <CGS> 48,392,760 <TOTAL-COSTS> 48,392,760 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 28,204 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,192,236 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,068,704 <INCOME-TAX> 2,651,657 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,417,047 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,417,047 <EPS-BASIC> 0.47 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.47