<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1998 <CASH> $659,634 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 33,752,950 <ALLOWANCES> 762,413 <INVENTORY> 20,481,531 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 56,974,813 <PP&E> 198,742,081 <DEPRECIATION> 99,889,015 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 167,907,003 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 24,588,074 <BONDS> 61,390,064 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9,495,710 <OTHER-SE> 67,954,698 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 167,907,003 <SALES> 176,819,100 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 176,819,100 <CGS> 137,138,285 <TOTAL-COSTS> 137,138,285 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 356,387 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,622,034 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,918,993 <INCOME-TAX> 3,465,559 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,453,434 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,453,434 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.58 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.56