<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10 K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 5,947,955 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 56,906,255 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 64,746,103 <PP&E> 25,959,647 <DEPRECIATION> 8,203,877 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 96,624,016 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 26,608,035 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 45,273 <OTHER-SE> 45,452,858 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 96,624,016 <SALES> 135,775,116 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 135,775,116 <CGS> 95,267,160 <TOTAL-COSTS> 49,457,422 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,776,244 <INCOME-PRETAX> (10,725,710) <INCOME-TAX> (4,290,000) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (6,435,710) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (6,435,710) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.42) <EPS-DILUTED> 0