<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)