<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)