<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS  SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                 APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                             1,017
<SECURITIES>                                       7,950
<RECEIVABLES>                                     73,134
<ALLOWANCES>                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                       88,895
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 172,757
<PP&E>                                            53,154
<DEPRECIATION>                                    21,102
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   224,431
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            149,823
<BONDS>                                                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                        2,766
<COMMON>                                             126
<OTHER-SE>                                        54,156
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     224,431
<SALES>                                          250,445
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       0
<CGS>                                            235,610
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (13,894)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 1,746
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    5,443
<INCOME-TAX>                                       2,632
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                2,810
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                       2,810
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          0