<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 NINE MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 28, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                        15
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,645
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (4,320)
<INVENTORY>                                     16,110
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,261
<PP&E>                                          45,857
<DEPRECIATION>                                (21,486)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  73,120
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,603
<BONDS>                                          1,185
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              187
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      54,426
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    73,120
<SALES>                                         36,001
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                36,001
<CGS>                                           34,404
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   14,123
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    28
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  (18)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 411
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (13,169)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       410
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (13,579)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (13,579)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.73)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.73)