<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                           10012
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    55435
<ALLOWANCES>                                      2102
<INVENTORY>                                      92194
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                166036
<PP&E>                                           45969
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (28443)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  192514
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            25215
<BONDS>                                         107275
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              437
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           162
<OTHER-SE>                                       58991
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    192514
<SALES>                                         255139
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                255139
<CGS>                                           187675
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   187675
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  1749
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                7622
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (2725)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1720)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1005)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (488)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1493)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.12)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.12)