<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996 <CASH> 3,303,822 <SECURITIES> 129,788 <RECEIVABLES> 14,561,102 <ALLOWANCES> 2,908,083 <INVENTORY> 56,387,842 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 77,886,953 <PP&E> 36,376,959 <DEPRECIATION> 13,746,265 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 119,033,551 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 62,062,477 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 556,691 <OTHER-SE> 33,572,716 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 119,033,551 <SALES> 294,967,168 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 294,967,168 <CGS> 232,182,625 <TOTAL-COSTS> 232,182,625 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 61,990,999 <LOSS-PROVISION> 835,015 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,100,590 <INCOME-PRETAX> (2,142,061) <INCOME-TAX> (754,000) <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,388,061) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.25) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.25)