<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1997 <CASH> 507,448 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 30,415,226 <ALLOWANCES> 1,085,812 <INVENTORY> 19,551,098 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 52,661,753 <PP&E> 171,395,861 <DEPRECIATION> 87,521,611 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 145,101,083 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 23,190,273 <BONDS> 47,237,409 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9,458,947 <OTHER-SE> 60,526,917 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 145,101,083 <SALES> 102,417,245 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 102,417,245 <CGS> 77,189,649 <TOTAL-COSTS> 77,189,649 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 322,352 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,722,679 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,475,723 <INCOME-TAX> 3,710,363 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,765,360 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,765,360 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.60 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.60