<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 2,187 2,924 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 28,970 20,102 <ALLOWANCES> (408) (320) <INVENTORY> 89,776 77,594 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 126,183 104,545 <PP&E> 12,242 9,214 <DEPRECIATION> (2,570) (2,133) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 162,021 124,002 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 125,268 88,732 <BONDS> 0 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 3,519 3,439 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 0 0 <OTHER-SE> 8,162 6,563 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 162,021 124,002 <SALES> 343,668 190,074 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 343,668 190,074 <CGS> 290,339 164,025 <TOTAL-COSTS> 290,339 164,025 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,732 1,745 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,192 (1,170) <INCOME-TAX> (1,373) (1,025) <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,819 (145) <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,819 (145) <EPS-PRIMARY> .11 (0.02) <EPS-DILUTED> .11 (0.02)