
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998             DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1997             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-28-1998             MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                             308                     560
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,005                  19,442
<ALLOWANCES>                                       622                     660
<INVENTORY>                                     18,861                  20,308
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                37,399                  44,309
<PP&E>                                          64,543                  73,743
<DEPRECIATION>                                  33,234                  33,835
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  74,276                  86,139
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,026                  20,033
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         5,385                   5,325
<OTHER-SE>                                      18,720                  30,054
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    74,276                  86,139
<SALES>                                         29,528                  32,616
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                29,528                  32,616
<CGS>                                           24,301                  27,431
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   28,753                  31,205
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (92)                      36
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                     (7)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 405                     484
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    462                     898
<INCOME-TAX>                                       137                     385
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                325                     513
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       325                     513
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.06                    0.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.06                    0.10
        

</TABLE>
