<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 2,113,611 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 61,235,111 <ALLOWANCES> 2,347,000 <INVENTORY> 44,811,033 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 112,781,064 <PP&E> 185,861,466 <DEPRECIATION> 83,048,606 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 248,306,945 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 44,812,977 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 11,577,401 <OTHER-SE> 171,246,785 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 248,306,945 <SALES> 88,191,166 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 88,191,166 <CGS> 57,575,412 <TOTAL-COSTS> 76,342,835 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 18,634,682 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,347,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 132,741 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,065,783 <INCOME-TAX> 4,858,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,990,331 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,990,331 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.38 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.38