<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The Schedule contains summmary financial information
extracted from the 2nd Quarter Consolidated Balance Sheets
and Statement of Earnings and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000
<CASH> 27,260,111
<SECURITIES> 11,663,532
<RECEIVABLES> 55,082,820
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 75,782,970
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 177,018,787
<PP&E> 247,274,035
<DEPRECIATION> 86,432,052
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 354,179,812
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 60,763,546
<BONDS> 116,391,696
0
0
<COMMON> 3,933,327
<OTHER-SE> 138,434,345
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 354,179,812
<SALES> 191,117,869
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 191,117,869
<CGS> 156,312,565
<TOTAL-COSTS> 156,312,565
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 16,684,976
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,285,764
<INCOME-PRETAX> 14,834,564
<INCOME-TAX> 6,054,822
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,779,742
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 8,779,742
<EPS-BASIC> 0.80
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.79
</TABLE>