<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996 <CASH> 3,379,776 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 26,881,581 <ALLOWANCES> 787,175 <INVENTORY> 15,666,880 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 46,912,756 <PP&E> 159,239,608 <DEPRECIATION> 80,529,962 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 131,169,442 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 23,688,852 <BONDS> 39,249,136 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 6,284,615 <OTHER-SE> 58,542,274 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 131,169,442 <SALES> 182,589,621 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 182,589,621 <CGS> 139,249,481 <TOTAL-COSTS> 139,249,481 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 378,366 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,928,483 <INCOME-PRETAX> 15,905,299 <INCOME-TAX> 6,252,682 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,652,617 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 9,652,617 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.52 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.52