<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1997 <CASH> 5,095,149 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 32,342,357 <ALLOWANCES> 674,689 <INVENTORY> 18,238,886 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 56,593,987 <PP&E> 187,996,994 <DEPRECIATION> 94,882,160 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 162,387,560 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 26,809,508 <BONDS> 57,166,326 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 9,479,241 <OTHER-SE> 63,338,107 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 162,387,560 <SALES> 209,206,775 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 209,206,775 <CGS> 160,951,244 <TOTAL-COSTS> 160,951,244 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 504,862 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,741,275 <INCOME-PRETAX> 15,441,262 <INCOME-TAX> 6,146,001 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,295,261 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 9,295,261 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.97<F1> <EPS-DILUTED> 0.96<F1> <FN> <F1>The Company declared a 50% share distribution on December 18, 1996 payable on January 13, 1997 to holders of record of the Company's Common Stock on December 27, 1996. Financial Data Schedules for prior periods were not restated. </FN>