<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM REGISTRANT'S
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD  ENDED  JANUARY 31, 1998 AND IS  QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               APR-30-1998          
<PERIOD-START>                  MAY-01-1997               
<PERIOD-END>                    JAN-31-1998    
<CASH>                                           2,923
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,778
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     17,396
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                38,960
<PP&E>                                          96,558
<DEPRECIATION>                                  60,577
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  76,865
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,079
<BONDS>                                         43,868
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     21,021
<COMMON>                                        28,752
<OTHER-SE>                                     (34,855)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    76,865
<SALES>                                        192,219
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               192,219
<CGS>                                          182,653
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  182,653
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,558
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (3,063)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,164)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,899)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,899)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.33)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.33)