<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1998 <PERIOD-START> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 3,137,986 <SECURITIES> 953,257 <RECEIVABLES> 10,825,755 <ALLOWANCES> 780,523 <INVENTORY> 12,896,301 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 27,700,007 <PP&E> 34,182,344 <DEPRECIATION> 8,073,588 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 62,074,711 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 19,273,712 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 2,216,072 <COMMON> 22,257 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 62,874,711 <SALES> 22,607,527 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 22,607,527 <CGS> 17,082,899 <TOTAL-COSTS> 17,082,899 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 166,584 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 549,813 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,088,297 <INCOME-TAX> 160,040 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 493,547 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 493,547 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.022 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.022