<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000 <CASH> 7,377,860 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 49,091,520 <ALLOWANCES> 634,505 <INVENTORY> 33,962,576 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 93,598,904 <PP&E> 211,486,494 <DEPRECIATION> 108,990,502 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 209,520,354 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 33,130,720 <BONDS> 78,763,774 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9,602,418 <OTHER-SE> 85,121,545 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 209,520,354 <SALES> 273,687,494 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 273,687,494 <CGS> 208,591,121 <TOTAL-COSTS> 208,591,121 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 121,485 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,448,817 <INCOME-PRETAX> 22,816,077 <INCOME-TAX> 8,618,122 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 14,197,955 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 14,197,955 <EPS-BASIC> 1.52 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.51