<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999 <CASH> 182,670 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 18,485,376 <ALLOWANCES> 91,140 <INVENTORY> 28,791,000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 48,770,025 <PP&E> 41,002,528 <DEPRECIATION> 15,180,382 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 100,133,425 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 27,779,388 <BONDS> 10,462,314 <COMMON> 75,039 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 59,156,985 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 100,133,425 <SALES> 68,934,170 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 68,934,170 <CGS> 54,641,948 <TOTAL-COSTS> 54,641,948 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 7,885,498 <LOSS-PROVISION> (53,261) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,273,767 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,298,636 <INCOME-TAX> 2,118,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,180,636 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,180,636 <EPS-BASIC> .64 <EPS-DILUTED> .62