<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                 APR-30-1998
<CASH>                                             1,281
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     90,748
<ALLOWANCES>                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                       48,753
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 142,987
<PP&E>                                            67,101
<DEPRECIATION>                                    26,250
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   204,411
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            148,451
<BONDS>                                                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                        2,664
<COMMON>                                             123
<OTHER-SE>                                        26,213
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     204,411
<SALES>                                          216,581
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       0
<CGS>                                            199,003
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   1,453
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 3,024
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (4,297)
<INCOME-TAX>                                           0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (4,297)
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (4,297)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          0