<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1996 <CASH> 818,898 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 23,998,615 <ALLOWANCES> 868,999 <INVENTORY> 17,383,108 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 44,258,328 <PP&E> 153,403,486 <DEPRECIATION> 77,352,809 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 125,378,560 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 20,605,952 <BONDS> 38,363,084 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 6,282,955 <OTHER-SE> 57,068,174 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 125,378,560 <SALES> 135,597,020 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 135,597,020 <CGS> 103,176,672 <TOTAL-COSTS> 103,176,672 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 360,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,087,718 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,282,481 <INCOME-TAX> 4,770,074 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,512,407 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,512,407 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.18 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.18