<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM REGISTRANT'S
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD  ENDED JANUARY 31, 1999  AND IS  QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   JAN-31-1999
<CASH>                                           1,328
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,501
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     10,787
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                32,451
<PP&E>                                          78,070
<DEPRECIATION>                                  53,945
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  56,650
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,517
<BONDS>                                            327
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     21,021
<COMMON>                                        28,761
<OTHER-SE>                                     (50,976)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    56,650
<SALES>                                        143,158
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               143,158
<CGS>                                          135,307
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  135,307
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,461
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (3,742)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (117)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (3,625)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (3,625)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.48) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.48)