<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>