<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 12 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 17,007 <ALLOWANCES> 1,376 <INVENTORY> 17,858 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 35,506 <PP&E> 21,037 <DEPRECIATION> 14,066 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 43,290 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 27,889 <BONDS> 26,852 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 34,492 <COMMON> 719 <OTHER-SE> (67,471) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 43,290 <SALES> 49,561 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 49,561 <CGS> 40,861 <TOTAL-COSTS> 40,861 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 13,714 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,376 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,440 <INCOME-PRETAX> (8,454) <INCOME-TAX> 6 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (8,460) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (8,460) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.17) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.17)