<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 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-31-1995 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1995 <CASH> 1,797 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 38,780 <ALLOWANCES> (1,624) <INVENTORY> 29,057 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 76,387 <PP&E> 42,033 <DEPRECIATION> (20,403) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 124,876 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 46,663 <BONDS> 16,000 <COMMON> 6,521 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 54,340 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 124,876 <SALES> 255,760 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 255,760 <CGS> 175,964 <TOTAL-COSTS> 175,964 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 811 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,743 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,099 <INCOME-TAX> 2,993 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,106 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,106 <EPS-PRIMARY> .68 <EPS-DILUTED> .68