<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER>1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                           1,325
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   50,729
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,692
<INVENTORY>                                    121,470
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 4,517
<PP&E>                                          64,136
<DEPRECIATION>                                  38,766
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 257,320
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           87,475
<BONDS>                                        109,545
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        15,329
<OTHER-SE>                                      33,841
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   257,320
<SALES>                                        196,204
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               198,731
<CGS>                                          155,593
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  201,285
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (66)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                11,578
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,745
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (21,811)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (36)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (21,775)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (21,775)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.45)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.45)