<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                       5,095,149
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               32,342,357
<ALLOWANCES>                                   674,689
<INVENTORY>                                 18,238,886
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            56,593,987
<PP&E>                                     187,996,994
<DEPRECIATION>                              94,882,160
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             162,387,560
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       26,809,508
<BONDS>                                     57,166,326
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     9,479,241
<OTHER-SE>                                  63,338,107
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               162,387,560
<SALES>                                    209,206,775
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           209,206,775
<CGS>                                      160,951,244
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              160,951,244
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               504,862
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,741,275
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             15,441,262
<INCOME-TAX>                                 6,146,001
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          9,295,261
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 9,295,261
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.98<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.97<F1>
<FN>
<F1>Restated to conform to SFAS No. 128.
</FN>