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<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-2000 OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1999 NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> JUL-31-2000 JUL-31-1999
<CASH> 1,992 597
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 69,452 63,274
<ALLOWANCES> (350) (350)
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<CURRENT-ASSETS> 181,468 149,451
<PP&E> 127,932 104,748
<DEPRECIATION> 68,682 62,232
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 347,140 309,353
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 133,612 91,747
<BONDS> 67,896 74,344
0 0
5,000 5,000
<COMMON> 0 0
<OTHER-SE> (55,374) (46,843)
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<SALES> 302,379 263,019
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 302,379 263,019
<CGS> 262,338 233,631
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<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,309 8,095
<INCOME-PRETAX> (3,901) (8,571)
<INCOME-TAX> 336 (1,773)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,237) (6,798)
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<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> (1,070) 0
<NET-INCOME> (5,307) (6,798)
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<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0
</TABLE>