<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>                                 JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                             2,056
<SECURITIES>                                       2,130
<RECEIVABLES>                                     72,054
<ALLOWANCES>                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                       60,143
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 138,059
<PP&E>                                            56,415
<DEPRECIATION>                                    21,624
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   190,939
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            115,769
<BONDS>                                                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                        2,757
<COMMON>                                             125
<OTHER-SE>                                        51,150
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     190,939
<SALES>                                          458,938
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       0
<CGS>                                            433,185
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (14,136)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 3,058
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    7,923
<INCOME-TAX>                                       3,576
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                4,348
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                       4,348
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          0