<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE INTERIM
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998 AND
THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JANUARY 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                       3,457,686
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               52,605,812
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,116,801
<INVENTORY>                                 78,034,786
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           136,581,646
<PP&E>                                      54,656,739
<DEPRECIATION>                              21,934,185
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             180,336,911
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       79,174,605
<BONDS>                                     22,915,737
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       173,771
<OTHER-SE>                                  77,395,238
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               180,336,911
<SALES>                                    351,358,640
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           351,358,640
<CGS>                                      280,861,361
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              280,861,361
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               704,032
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,273,137
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              8,426,772
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,854,885
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,571,887
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,571,887
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20