<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 5, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-05-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-05-1997
<CASH>                                         477,991
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               39,291,069<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                (1,575,000)<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                 36,601,299
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            75,410,018
<PP&E>                                     125,168,586
<DEPRECIATION>                             (58,724,601)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             200,587,563
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       17,807,763
<BONDS>                                     82,511,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       131,340
<OTHER-SE>                                  90,880,829
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               200,587,563
<SALES>                                     89,830,755
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            89,830,755
<CGS>                                       70,257,960
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               12,221,656
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               861,531
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,949,125
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,402,014
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,738,844
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,663,170
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,663,170
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20
<FN>
Amounts inapplicable or not disclosed as a separate line on the Balance Sheet
or Statement of Income are reported as $0 herein.
<F1>Notes and accounts receivable - trade are reported net of allowances for
doubtful accounts in the Balance Sheet.
</FN>