<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-2000
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   38,226
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (872)
<INVENTORY>                                     62,877
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                19,868
<PP&E>                                         344,680
<DEPRECIATION>                               (221,977)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 251,686
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,935
<BONDS>                                        112,250
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            99
<OTHER-SE>                                      73,670
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   215,686
<SALES>                                        155,995
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               155,995
<CGS>                                          149,471
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  158,242
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,050
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,150
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (11,447)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (4,023)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (7,424)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,023)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.89)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.89)