
<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 OCTOBER 31, 1997
          AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
          STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                  OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                          2,710
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  12,394
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                    20,226
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               45,048
<PP&E>                                         95,272
<DEPRECIATION>                                 59,214
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 83,120
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          19,439
<BONDS>                                        44,544
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                    21,021
<COMMON>                                       28,752
<OTHER-SE>                                    (30,636)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   83,120
<SALES>                                       136,268
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              136,268
<CGS>                                         125,695
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 125,695
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              2,393
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 2,183
<INCOME-TAX>                                      437
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             1,746
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                    1,746
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .05
        

</TABLE>
