<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE INTERIM
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1997 AND
THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JANUARY 31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997
<CASH>                                          99,512
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               32,970,088
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,406,705 
<INVENTORY>                                 41,543,462
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            75,018,276
<PP&E>                                      31,243,524
<DEPRECIATION>                              10,335,390
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             105,874,424
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       37,211,145
<BONDS>                                     11,895,156
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       123,988
<OTHER-SE>                                  56,286,241
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               105,874,424
<SALES>                                    202,905,937<F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           202,905,937
<CGS>                                      160,888,311
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              160,888,311
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,528,950
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,044,556
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,139,985
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,569,481
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,637,575
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                932,929
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,637,575
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.25
<FN>
<F1>SIX MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1997
</FN>