<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996 <CASH> 316,218 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 31,908,446 <ALLOWANCES> 927,232 <INVENTORY> 17,629,474 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 52,114,431 <PP&E> 168,649,500 <DEPRECIATION> 85,616,278 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 142,083,440 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 24,296,909 <BONDS> 44,717,092 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9,449,817 <OTHER-SE> 59,312,713 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 142,083,440 <SALES> 53,440,704 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 53,440,704 <CGS> 39,735,103 <TOTAL-COSTS> 39,735,103 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 166,547 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 837,362 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,047,481 <INCOME-TAX> 2,355,807 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,691,674 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,691,674 <EPS-PRIMARY> .39 <EPS-DILUTED> .39