<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000 <CASH> 4,647,045 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 26,991,893 <ALLOWANCES> 330,272 <INVENTORY> 56,067,220 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 93,558,889 <PP&E> 78,139,308 <DEPRECIATION> 19,979,536 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 231,224,559 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 80,210,448 <BONDS> 72,060,550 <COMMON> 75,204 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 69,801,146 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 231,224,559 <SALES> 172,541,910 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 172,541,910 <CGS> 140,408,864 <TOTAL-COSTS> 140,408,864 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 18,814,704 <LOSS-PROVISION> 30,650 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,716,322 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,571,370 <INCOME-TAX> 3,427,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,144,370 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,144,370 <EPS-BASIC> .74 <EPS-DILUTED> .72