<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