<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM REGISTRANT'S
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  JULY 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.          
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                           5,337
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,203
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     12,445
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                36,918
<PP&E>                                          76,654
<DEPRECIATION>                                  52,957
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  61,913
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,209
<BONDS>                                         35,795
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     21,021
<COMMON>                                        28,761
<OTHER-SE>                                     (46,873)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    61,913
<SALES>                                         47,661
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                47,661
<CGS>                                           44,175
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   44,175
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,160
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (619)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (619)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (619)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.11) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.11)