<ARTICLE> 5

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-2000
<CASH>                                       5,850,854
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               46,219,823
<ALLOWANCES>                                   784,675
<INVENTORY>                                 39,308,550
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            94,975,560
<PP&E>                                     207,845,028
<DEPRECIATION>                             105,868,764
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             210,299,703
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       37,279,710
<BONDS>                                     77,202,012
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     9,582,386
<OTHER-SE>                                  83,569,842
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               210,299,703
<SALES>                                    198,483,734
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           198,483,734
<CGS>                                      151,146,357
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              151,146,357
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               117,662
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,056,039
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             17,111,402
<INCOME-TAX>                                 6,477,195
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         10,634,207
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                10,634,207
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.13