<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>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                    OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                               3,214
<SECURITIES>                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                       40,769
<ALLOWANCES>                           950
<INVENTORY>                         84,216
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                   138,927
<PP&E>                              57,653
<DEPRECIATION>                      21,997
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                     192,622
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>              118,458
<BONDS>                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                    0
<PREFERRED>                          2,756
<COMMON>                               125
<OTHER-SE>                          48,805
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>       192,622
<SALES>                            590,480
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         0
<CGS>                              556,030
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                   (20,241)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                   5,940
<INCOME-PRETAX>                      6,250
<INCOME-TAX>                         3,678
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                  2,572
<DISCONTINUED>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                          0
<CHANGES>                                0
<NET-INCOME>                         2,572
<EPS-PRIMARY>                            0
<EPS-DILUTED>                            0