<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                            5347                     128
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    18833                   16304
<ALLOWANCES>                                        22                      19
<INVENTORY>                                      23225                   32295
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 51157                   52720
<PP&E>                                          137894                  182262
<DEPRECIATION>                                   17139                   28192
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  203067                  238538
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            28009                   47390
<BONDS>                                          69675                   76544
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           118                     119
<OTHER-SE>                                       92977                   97094
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    203067                  238538
<SALES>                                          94100                  119663
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 94100                  119663
<CGS>                                            71440                   87876
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    22593                   21417
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1052                    5829
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (985)                    4541
<INCOME-TAX>                                       335                  (2378)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (650)                    2168
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (650)                    2168
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.06)                    0.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.06)                    0.18
        

</TABLE>