<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-29-1996 <CASH> 1,001,949 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 24,805,225 <ALLOWANCES> 741,832 <INVENTORY> 17,324,578 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 45,240,116 <PP&E> 146,469,530 <DEPRECIATION> 74,536,073 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 121,887,824 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 20,811,551 <BONDS> 37,538,876 <COMMON> 6,254,181 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 54,262,146 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 121,887,824 <SALES> 90,483,738 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 90,483,738 <CGS> 68,613,281 <TOTAL-COSTS> 68,613,281 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 238,132 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,393,966 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,408,565 <INCOME-TAX> 3,267,425 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,141,140 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,141,140 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.81 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.81