<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997 <CASH> 1,964,595 <SECURITIES> 505,161 <RECEIVABLES> 14,749,255 <ALLOWANCES> 4,232,094 <INVENTORY> 46,376,942 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 60,590,197 <PP&E> 44,698,126 <DEPRECIATION> 14,287,625 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 93,386,329 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 58,657,157 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 556,691 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 10,062,647 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 93,386,329 <SALES> 195,086,958 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 195,086,958 <CGS> 162,327,502 <TOTAL-COSTS> 162,327,502 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 50,298,601 <LOSS-PROVISION> 573,692 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,771,606 <INCOME-PRETAX> (21,009,507) <INCOME-TAX> 2,690,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (23,699,507) <EPS-PRIMARY> (4.26) <EPS-DILUTED> (4.26)