<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)