<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR 
THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-27-1996
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   30,065<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                     36,258
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                69,873      
<PP&E>                                          92,647     
<DEPRECIATION>                                  28,129   
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 147,473    
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,184   
<BONDS>                                         44,009 
<COMMON>                                            81
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      54,245      
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   147,473        
<SALES>                                        177,258         
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               177,258         
<CGS>                                          156,859         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  156,859         
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                16,382      
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0     
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,066      
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,017      
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,646     
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,371     
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0     
<CHANGES>                                            0 
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,371     
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $0.29
<FN> 
<F1> Notes and accounts receivable - trade are reported net of allowances for 
doubtful accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
</FN>