<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> (Replace this text with the legend) </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000094136 <NAME> Sterling Electronics Corporation <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> us <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-mos <FISCAL-YEAR-END> mar-28-1998 <PERIOD-START> jun-29-1997 <PERIOD-END> sep-27-1997 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1.000 <CASH> 714,542 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 60,434,829 <ALLOWANCES> 1,629,984 <INVENTORY> 79,110,249 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 140,259,847 <PP&E> 16,919,370 <DEPRECIATION> 7,177,966 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 163,818,468 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 45,890,786 <BONDS> 51,788,478 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 3,695,613 <OTHER-SE> 57,405,455 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 163,818,468 <SALES> 100,547,836 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 100,547,836 <CGS> 80,203,848 <TOTAL-COSTS> 97,054,031 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 768,670 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 853,059 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,640,746 <INCOME-TAX> 1,030,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,610,746 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,610,746 <EPS-PRIMARY> .22 <EPS-DILUTED> .21