<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
     REGISTRANT'S REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 31, 1997
     AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>                   
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Apr-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 May-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   Jan-31-1997
<CASH>                                             9,230
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     12,871
<ALLOWANCES>                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                       19,477
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  50,170
<PP&E>                                            84,518
<DEPRECIATION>                                    55,505
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    81,474
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             18,376
<BONDS>                                           47,539
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                       21,021
<COMMON>                                          28,641
<OTHER-SE>                                       (34,103)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      81,474
<SALES>                                          210,648
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 210,648
<CGS>                                            189,045
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    189,045
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 3,828
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    8,936
<INCOME-TAX>                                       3,392
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                5,544
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                       5,544
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        .34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        .34