<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 6,121 <SECURITIES> 155 <RECEIVABLES> 26,204 <ALLOWANCES> 4,531 <INVENTORY> 23,917 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 58,194 <PP&E> 8,001 <DEPRECIATION> 5,546 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 83,460 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 38,665 <BONDS> 20,750 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 9,000 <COMMON> 403 <OTHER-SE> 14,256 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 83,460 <SALES> 151,284 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 151,284 <CGS> 145,354 <TOTAL-COSTS> 145,354 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 18,825 <LOSS-PROVISION> 795 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,525 <INCOME-PRETAX> (16,215) <INCOME-TAX> 194 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (16,409) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (16,409) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.42) <EPS-DILUTED> (.42)