<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                             849
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   42,297
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,054
<INVENTORY>                                     42,841
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                89,049
<PP&E>                                          25,346
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,493
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 132,909
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           22,457
<BONDS>                                         69,317
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            78
<OTHER-SE>                                      41,057
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   132,909
<SALES>                                         32,103
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                32,103
<CGS>                                           22,739
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   22,739
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,504
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 880
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,061)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (398)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (663)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (663)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.09)