WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      40,132,238
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               19,441,772
<ALLOWANCES>                                   839,000
<INVENTORY>                                 21,458,339
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            81,947,873
<PP&E>                                      41,499,522
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,551,874
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             158,323,709
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       20,475,569
<BONDS>                                    126,518,030
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        13,458
<OTHER-SE>                                   5,567,677
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               158,323,709
<SALES>                                     94,252,582
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                       74,304,379
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            17,178,654
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,927,924
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,154,731)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (390,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (764,731)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              (494,110)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,258,841)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.10)