<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM REGISTRANT'S
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD  ENDED  OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND IS  QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                           3,734
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,482
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     13,310
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                36,522
<PP&E>                                          76,625
<DEPRECIATION>                                  52,843
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  61,640
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,850
<BONDS>                                         34,779
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     21,021
<COMMON>                                        28,761
<OTHER-SE>                                     (47,771)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    61,640
<SALES>                                         98,901
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                98,901
<CGS>                                           92,034
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   92,034
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,318
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (943)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (943)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (943)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.19) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.19)