<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           3,500
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                9,590,462
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,482,000
<INVENTORY>                                 10,435,942
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            21,198,178
<PP&E>                                      44,227,666
<DEPRECIATION>                              15,808,610
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              50,125,941
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       17,081,185
<BONDS>                                     10,903,498
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          150,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       178,812
<OTHER-SE>                                  20,706,875
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                50,125,941
<SALES>                                     44,296,444
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            44,296,444
<CGS>                                       33,468,376
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               36,650,666
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            23,687,980
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,399,114
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (17,441,316)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (17,441,316)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (17,611,339)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.14)