<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         340,711
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               10,809,423
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,519,000
<INVENTORY>                                 15,019,714
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            27,165,228
<PP&E>                                      44,368,506
<DEPRECIATION>                              16,437,016
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              55,882,343
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       14,445,036
<BONDS>                                     10,270,388
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       12,000,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       179,153
<OTHER-SE>                                  18,046,736
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                55,882,343
<SALES>                                     12,741,035
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            12,741,035
<CGS>                                       10,287,468
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               10,900,557
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             4,032,733
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             488,825
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,681,080)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,681,080)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,772,742)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.15)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.15)