<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT JANUARY 31, 1998 AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> AUG-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1998 <CASH> 8,359,000 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 17,735,000<F1> <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 13,664,000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 41,145,000 <PP&E> 12,476,000<F2> <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 81,860,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 14,774,000 <BONDS> 59,960,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 71,000 <OTHER-SE> 5,253,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 81,860,000 <SALES> 54,324,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 0 <CGS> 20,673,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 49,890,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (119,000) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,273,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,280,000 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,280,000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,280,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.19 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 <FN> <F1>Accounts receivable net of allowance for doubtful accounts. <F2>Property, plant and equipment net of accumulated depreciation. </FN>