<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1999 <CASH> 33,985,787 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 52,134,535 <ALLOWANCES> 2,800,700 <INVENTORY> 19,377,664 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 113,527,955 <PP&E> 119,549,808 <DEPRECIATION> 61,423,631 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 180,739,520 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 35,379,157 <BONDS> 15,925,238 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 7,413,466 <OTHER-SE> 107,318,193 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 180,739,520 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 205,340,440 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 154,648,923 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 8,116,827 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 665,080 <INCOME-PRETAX> 23,776,671 <INCOME-TAX> 9,632,378 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 14,144,293 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 14,144,293 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.64 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.63