<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT AS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1998 <CASH> 5,773,529 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 14,309,527 <ALLOWANCES> 273,343 <INVENTORY> 18,686,810 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 40,039,496 <PP&E> 38,960,308 <DEPRECIATION> 13,895,326 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 92,160,222 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 21,829,962 <BONDS> 37,504,860 <COMMON> 54,906 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 30,110,795 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 92,160,222 <SALES> 96,972,886 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 96,972,886 <CGS> 74,343,103 <TOTAL-COSTS> 74,343,103 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 11,517,798 <LOSS-PROVISION> (9,657) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,474,261 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,647,381 <INCOME-TAX> 3,858,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,789,381 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,789,381 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.21 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.16