<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERRENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-28-1996 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 123 <RECEIVABLES> 11,309 <ALLOWANCES> (3,474) <INVENTORY> 18,263 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 27,341 <PP&E> 46,863 <DEPRECIATION> (21,294) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 78,472 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 10,512 <BONDS> 1,308 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 187 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 65,746 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 78,472 <SALES> 12,470 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 12,579 <CGS> 11,238 <TOTAL-COSTS> 3,813 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 15 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 82 <INCOME-PRETAX> (2,569) <INCOME-TAX> 410 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,979) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (2,979) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.16) <EPS-DILUTED> (.16)