<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 10-Q FOR
THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 FOR NATIONAL SANITARY SUPPLY COMPANY AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000793500
<NAME> NATIONAL SANITARY SUPPLY CO
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1994
<CASH>                                           1,814
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,954
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,190)
<INVENTORY>                                     26,690
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                72,672
<PP&E>                                          40,554
<DEPRECIATION>                                (18,889)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 121,966
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,247
<BONDS>                                         17,000
<COMMON>                                         6,397
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      49,667
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   121,966
<SALES>                                        229,667
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               229,667
<CGS>                                          158,031
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  158,031
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   651
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,774
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,730
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,398
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,332
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,332
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56