<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1996             OCT-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1995             APR-21-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996             OCT-31-1995
<CASH>                                           4,458                   1,897
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   41,838                  41,167
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,050                   1,509
<INVENTORY>                                     58,383                  56,675
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               109,352                 101,681
<PP&E>                                         209,248                 183,783
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,355                   6,870
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 304,324                 287,870
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           51,825                  56,224
<BONDS>                                        187,775                 187,775
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               36                      36
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      37,930                  38,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   304,324                 287,870
<SALES>                                        454,283                 255,821
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               454,283                 255,821
<CGS>                                          414,892                 224,797
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,388                  16,463
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              24,643                  12,406
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (640)                   2,155
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (270)                     910
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (370)                   1,245
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (370)                   1,245
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.10)                     .35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.10)                     .33
        

</TABLE>