<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF AUGUST 31, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 FOR SUBURBAN OSTOMY SUPPLY COMPANY
INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                       1,994,731
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                9,040,758
<ALLOWANCES>                                   415,963
<INVENTORY>                                  6,917,753
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            18,678,376
<PP&E>                                       2,036,714
<DEPRECIATION>                                 923,228
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              33,129,556
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        8,851,358
<BONDS>                                     34,816,692
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        7,436,913
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       161,607
<OTHER-SE>                                (18,208,336)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                33,129,556
<SALES>                                     72,558,006
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            72,558,006
<CGS>                                       55,397,825
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                9,689,480
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               435,360
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,652,640
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,382,701
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,944,454
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,762,167
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.37