<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1998
<CASH>                                             686
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,607
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,191
<INVENTORY>                                     52,040
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               101,874
<PP&E>                                          27,240
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,270
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 143,058
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,472
<BONDS>                                         75,343
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            78
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,165
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   143,058
<SALES>                                         34,123
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                34,123
<CGS>                                           22,710
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   22,710
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,681
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,047
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (352)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (130)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (222)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (222)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.03)