
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM REGISTRANT'S
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD  ENDED JULY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUL-31-1997
<CASH>                                           5,370
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,105
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     22,800
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                49,621
<PP&E>                                          90,941
<DEPRECIATION>                                  57,853
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  84,725
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,978
<BONDS>                                         44,943
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     21,021
<COMMON>                                        28,647
<OTHER-SE>                                     (29,864)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    84,725
<SALES>                                         68,881
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                68,881
<CGS>                                           61,841
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   61,841
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,211
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,700
<INCOME-TAX>                                       756
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,944
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,944
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .12
        

</TABLE>
