<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM REGISTRANT'S
REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   APR-30-1998
<CASH>                                           2,157
<SECURITIES>                                         0  
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,464
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     14,005
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                39,508
<PP&E>                                          76,820
<DEPRECIATION>                                  52,378
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  65,311
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,350
<BONDS>                                         36,868
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     21,021
<COMMON>                                        28,752
<OTHER-SE>                                     (45,680)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    65,311
<SALES>                                        242,051
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               242,051
<CGS>                                          231,303
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  231,303
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,682
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (9,786)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,364
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (12,150)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0  
<NET-INCOME>                                   (12,150)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.30)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.30)