<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 181 <SECURITIES> 15 <RECEIVABLES> 16,523 <ALLOWANCES> (5,109) <INVENTORY> 13,239 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 28,155 <PP&E> 45,684 <DEPRECIATION> (17,852) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 72,697 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 12,196 <BONDS> 2,651 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 189 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 57,079 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 72,697 <SALES> 53,172 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 60,140 <CGS> 49,740 <TOTAL-COSTS> 18,301 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 3 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 587 <INCOME-PRETAX> (8,491) <INCOME-TAX> 410 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (8,901) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (8,901) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.48) <EPS-DILUTED> (.48)