<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                              0 
<SECURITIES>                                        0 
<RECEIVABLES>                                  31,458<F1> 
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0<F1> 
<INVENTORY>                                    40,821 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               78,660       
<PP&E>                                        108,978      
<DEPRECIATION>                                 32,137    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                178,927      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          48,996    
<BONDS>                                        55,483  
<COMMON>                                           84 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                         0 
<OTHER-SE>                                     64,684       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  178,927         
<SALES>                                        55,911          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               55,911          
<CGS>                                          50,538          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  50,538          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                3,235       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              1,328       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   810       
<INCOME-TAX>                                      331      
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               479      
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0      
<CHANGES>                                           0  
<NET-INCOME>                                      479 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.06 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.06 
<FN>

<F1> Notes and accounts receivable - trade are reported net of allowances for
     doubtful accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
</FN>