<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1998 <CASH> 2,772,397 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 36,135,042 <ALLOWANCES> 678,465 <INVENTORY> 20,254,378 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 61,499,079 <PP&E> 197,775,355 <DEPRECIATION> 99,936,876 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 171,749,571 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,426,048 <BONDS> 59,956,433 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9,534,641 <OTHER-SE> 73,784,304 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 171,749,571 <SALES> 60,465,735 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 60,465,735 <CGS> 45,378,424 <TOTAL-COSTS> 45,378,424 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 300,691 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,211,831 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,345,399 <INCOME-TAX> 2,380,992 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,964,407 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,964,407 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.42 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.41