<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 10-Q FOR
THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           2,632
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,999
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,168)
<INVENTORY>                                     26,522
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                70,042
<PP&E>                                          44,183
<DEPRECIATION>                                (22,567)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 118,632
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           36,512
<BONDS>                                         15,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,644
<OTHER-SE>                                      58,389
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   118,632
<SALES>                                        235,139
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               235,139
<CGS>                                          157,670
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  157,670
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   603
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,204
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,834
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,869
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,965
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,965
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .65