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

  


<ARTICLE>                     5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                         $11,024
<SECURITIES>                                   $0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  $29,762
<ALLOWANCES>                                   $511
<INVENTORY>                                    $67,096
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               $115,380
<PP&E>                                         $234,956
<DEPRECIATION>                                 $60,575
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 $346,392
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          $56,037
<BONDS>                                        $201,054
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          $0
<PREFERRED>                                    $0
<COMMON>                                       $0
<OTHER-SE>                                     $52,937
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   $346,392
<SALES>                                        $871,348
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               $871,348
<CGS>                                          $767,941
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  $71,324
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               $0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               $407
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             $18,058
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                $6,436
<INCOME-TAX>                                   $2,588
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            $3,848
<DISCONTINUED>                                 $0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                ($6,653)
<CHANGES>                                      $0
<NET-INCOME>                                   ($2,805)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  $0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  $0