
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                  DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                    DEC-27-1997
<CASH>                                  693
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                        15,000
<ALLOWANCES>                            751
<INVENTORY>                          18,176
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                     33,755
<PP&E>                               64,323
<DEPRECIATION>                       32,060
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       71,559
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                17,515
<BONDS>                                   0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                               0
<COMMON>                              5,384
<OTHER-SE>                           18,382
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         71,559
<SALES>                              26,731
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                     26,731
<CGS>                                24,468
<TOTAL-COSTS>                        40,515
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                       (203)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         59
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                      334
<INCOME-PRETAX>                     (13,974)
<INCOME-TAX>                         (2,460)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                 (11,514)
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                        (11,514)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                         (2.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                         (2.14)
        

</TABLE>
