
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                             864
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,781
<ALLOWANCES>                                       685
<INVENTORY>                                     20,910
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                42,522
<PP&E>                                          73,147
<DEPRECIATION>                                  32,617
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  84,976
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,946
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,315
<OTHER-SE>                                      29,758
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    84,976
<SALES>                                         29,999
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                29,999
<CGS>                                           25,799
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   29,803
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (96)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    83
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 445
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (236)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (404)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                168
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       168
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.03
        

</TABLE>
