<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