<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 4,669,129 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 55,593,276 <ALLOWANCES> 2,055,000 <INVENTORY> 38,471,907 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 99,137,454 <PP&E> 143,885,961 <DEPRECIATION> 68,863,040 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 196,571,248 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 31,386,282 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 10,568,267 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 147,256,249 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 196,571,248 <SALES> 230,385,397 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 230,385,397 <CGS> 157,774,466 <TOTAL-COSTS> 183,581,037 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 21,811,815 <LOSS-PROVISION> 636,540 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 496,404 <INCOME-PRETAX> 24,627,170 <INCOME-TAX> 10,097,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 14,530,170 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 14,530,170 <EPS-PRIMARY> .86 <EPS-DILUTED> .86