<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 SIX MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 29, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                       123
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,650
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,300)
<INVENTORY>                                     16,714
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,232
<PP&E>                                          46,102
<DEPRECIATION>                                (21,122)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  74,236
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,635
<BONDS>                                          1,239
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           187
<OTHER-SE>                                      57,456
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    74,236
<SALES>                                         24,252
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                24,501
<CGS>                                           23,494
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,095
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  (28)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 218
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (9,334)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       410
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,744)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,744)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.52)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.52)