<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                       3,396,382
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                9,965,724
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,422,750
<INVENTORY>                                 10,712,113
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            25,178,469
<PP&E>                                      43,344,471
<DEPRECIATION>                              14,480,254
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              54,925,701
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       16,713,088
<BONDS>                                      8,177,708
<COMMON>                                       148,391
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       10,000,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  18,440,471
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                54,925,701
<SALES>                                     22,431,400
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            22,431,400
<CGS>                                       16,237,782
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               18,027,165
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            13,975,432
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             646,634
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (10,217,831)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (10,217,831)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (10,253,447)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.70)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.70)