WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 10Q FOR
THE SECOND QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 FOR NATIONAL SANITARY SUPPLY COMPANY AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000795000
<NAME> NATIONAL SANITARY SUPPLY CO
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,114
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   33,684
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,064)
<INVENTORY>                                     27,049
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                68,259
<PP&E>                                          47,442
<DEPRECIATION>                                (24,387)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 118,015
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,750
<BONDS>                                          6,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,870
<OTHER-SE>                                      29,833
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   118,015
<SALES>                                        152,702
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               152,702
<CGS>                                          101,804
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  101,804
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   292
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 753
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,156
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,314
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,842
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,842
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .30