<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1999 <CASH> 6,090,066 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 34,097,562 <ALLOWANCES> 670,033 <INVENTORY> 22,490,918 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 64,433,700 <PP&E> 199,035,467 <DEPRECIATION> 97,980,580 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 177,385,523 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 27,059,008 <BONDS> 60,064,673 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9,568,343 <OTHER-SE> 77,115,579 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 177,385,523 <SALES> 233,841,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 233,841,000 <CGS> 178,635,682 <TOTAL-COSTS> 178,635,682 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 145,319 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,619,190 <INCOME-PRETAX> 18,859,575 <INCOME-TAX> 7,130,451 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 11,729,124 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 11,729,124 <EPS-BASIC> 1.24 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.23