<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-1996 <CASH> 1,104,316 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 19,974,907 <ALLOWANCES> 637,145 <INVENTORY> 30,588,857 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 51,991,881 <PP&E> 13,047,522 <DEPRECIATION> 859,144 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 100,251,075 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 46,922,148 <BONDS> 80,373,706 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 2,000,000 <PREFERRED> 9,214 <COMMON> 10,469,952 <OTHER-SE> 7,398,203 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 100,251,075 <SALES> 19,316,493 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 19,316,493 <CGS> 13,455,988 <TOTAL-COSTS> 4,395,146<F1> <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,201,458 <LOSS-PROVISION> 45,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,201,458 <INCOME-PRETAX> 361,076 <INCOME-TAX> 160,200 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 292,345 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 292,345 <EPS-PRIMARY> .03 <EPS-DILUTED> .03 <FN> <F1>Excludes 45,000 Loss Provision </FN>