<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT MAY 4, 1997 AND THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 4, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                         915,572
<SECURITIES>                                 6,200,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,745,411
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (180,400)
<INVENTORY>                                 19,490,680
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            42,948,880
<PP&E>                                      66,747,817
<DEPRECIATION>                            (20,752,562)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              89,119,518
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        9,327,792
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        76,921
<OTHER-SE>                                  74,144,825
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                89,119,518
<SALES>                                     32,791,946
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            32,791,946
<CGS>                                       26,400,843
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               28,860,004
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              55,750
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,957,186
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,495,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,462,186
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,462,186
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .32