<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1998 <CASH> 1,026 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 18,940 <ALLOWANCES> 662 <INVENTORY> 65,841 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 87,610 <PP&E> 46,113 <DEPRECIATION> 5,687 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 128,036 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 95,099 <BONDS> 1,169 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 4 <OTHER-SE> 21,846 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 128,036 <SALES> 40,365 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 40,365 <CGS> 37,890 <TOTAL-COSTS> 41,016 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (251) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,768 <INCOME-PRETAX> (2,168) <INCOME-TAX> (880) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,288) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,288) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.39) <EPS-DILUTED> (.39)