<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE INTERIM
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
AND THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                         510,529
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               52,205,189
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,542,907
<INVENTORY>                                 78,760,752
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           133,141,903
<PP&E>                                      53,283,426
<DEPRECIATION>                              21,019,940
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             176,321,931
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       86,282,662
<BONDS>                                     16,033,682
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       173,771
<OTHER-SE>                                  73,154,256
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               176,321,931
<SALES>                                    173,382,986
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           173,382,986
<CGS>                                      139,193,855
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              139,193,855
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               131,528
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,081,169
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,292,527
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,920,824
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (628,297)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (628,297)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.05)