<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 27, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
       
                                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-27-1998
<CASH>                                              87
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,049
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (4,058)
<INVENTORY>                                     11,518
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,766
<PP&E>                                          46,369
<DEPRECIATION>                                (19,794)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  69,018
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,355
<BONDS>                                          2,689
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           189
<OTHER-SE>                                      53,203
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    69,018
<SALES>                                         43,594
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                47,372
<CGS>                                           39,425
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,187
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    41
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 674
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,955)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,955)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,955)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.21)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.21)