<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1997 <CASH> 2,026 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 11,606 <ALLOWANCES> 436 <INVENTORY> 13,361 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 27,951 <PP&E> 145,269 <DEPRECIATION> 27,307 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 203,799 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 34,426 <BONDS> 148,453 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 20,920 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 203,799 <SALES> 199,785 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 199,785 <CGS> 125,947 <TOTAL-COSTS> 182,866 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (321) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 12,063 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,625 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,177 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,177 <EPS-PRIMARY> .64 <EPS-DILUTED> .64