<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1997
AND THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JULY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1997
<CASH>                                          16,477
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               32,169,184
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,149,628
<INVENTORY>                                 45,030,476
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            80,460,821
<PP&E>                                      32,251,144
<DEPRECIATION>                              11,871,817
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             110,985,354
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       31,578,140
<BONDS>                                     16,553,097
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       123,988
<OTHER-SE>                                  62,052,569
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               110,985,354
<SALES>                                    421,697,941
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           421,697,941
<CGS>                                      334,583,617
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              334,583,617
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             2,112,015
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,081,440
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             15,671,302
<INCOME-TAX>                                 6,416,070
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          8,322,303
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                932,929
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 8,322,303
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.71