<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 639,810 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 18,436,297 <ALLOWANCES> 510,808 <INVENTORY> 29,478,289 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 50,641,231 <PP&E> 13,921,908 <DEPRECIATION> 4,642,043 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 92,977,519 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 52,357,859 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 1,250 <COMMON> 136,641 <OTHER-SE> 24,094,094 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 92,977,519 <SALES> 36,165,789 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 36,165,789 <CGS> 30,056,915 <TOTAL-COSTS> 30,056,915 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,623,676 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,574,418 <INCOME-PRETAX> 121,746 <INCOME-TAX> 79,110 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (104,737) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (104,737) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.01) <EPS-DILUTED> (.01)