<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 28, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-28-1998 <CASH> 67 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 13,013 <ALLOWANCES> (3,190) <INVENTORY> 16,213 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 29,682 <PP&E> 46,109 <DEPRECIATION> (19,205) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 74,198 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 19,036 <BONDS> 2,547 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 189 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 51,844 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 74,198 <SALES> 25,708 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 25,854 <CGS> 23,575 <TOTAL-COSTS> 7,062 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 19 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 453 <INCOME-PRETAX> (5,255) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (5,255) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (5,255) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.28) <EPS-DILUTED> (.28)