<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996 <CASH> 4,286,559 <SECURITIES> 140,288 <RECEIVABLES> 17,492,347 <ALLOWANCES> 2,676,214 <INVENTORY> 72,624,838 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 97,531,133 <PP&E> 35,957,335 <DEPRECIATION> 14,620,339 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 137,763,967 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 96,313,444 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 556,691 <OTHER-SE> 32,773,127 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 167,763,967 <SALES> 65,762,745 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 65,762,745 <CGS> 52,892,913 <TOTAL-COSTS> 52,892,913 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 13,644,722 <LOSS-PROVISION> 75,692 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 449,516 <INCOME-PRETAX> (1,300,098) <INCOME-TAX> (494,000) <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (806,098) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.14) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.14)