<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 APRIL 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> AUG-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-1998 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 55,126<F1> <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 51,986 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 111,368 <PP&E> 173,974 <DEPRECIATION> 44,186 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 291,248 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 57,851 <BONDS> 139,252 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 90 <OTHER-SE> 84,027 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 291,248 <SALES> 227,915 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 227,915 <CGS> 201,785 <TOTAL-COSTS> 201,785 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 11,374 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,078 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,678 <INCOME-TAX> 3,382 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,296 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> (1,111) <NET-INCOME> 3,185 <EPS-PRIMARY> .36 <EPS-DILUTED> .34 <FN> <F1> Notes and accounts receivable - trade are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. </FN>