<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 7,534,793 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 58,990,581 <ALLOWANCES> 2,228,000 <INVENTORY> 42,907,537 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 109,583,221 <PP&E> 157,343,474 <DEPRECIATION> 72,056,040 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 214,288,375 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 40,113,100 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 10,790,881 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 155,622,481 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 214,288,375 <SALES> 76,798,621 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 76,798,621 <CGS> 52,711,406 <TOTAL-COSTS> 68,649,118 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 7,643,714 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,228,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,166 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,149,503 <INCOME-TAX> 3,341,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,808,503 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,808,503 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.29 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.29