<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 18,003,763 <ALLOWANCES> 3,850,808 <INVENTORY> 26,721,117 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 48,783,712 <PP&E> 14,061,600 <DEPRECIATION> 5,047,639 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 96,428,916 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 54,344,203 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 1,250 <COMMON> 136,641 <OTHER-SE> 25,102,144 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 96,428,916 <SALES> 74,575,012 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 74,575,012 <CGS> 62,680,099 <TOTAL-COSTS> 62,680,099 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 8,434,856 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,414,350 <INCOME-PRETAX> 140,810 <INCOME-TAX> 120,528 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (274,238) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (274,238) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.02) <EPS-DILUTED> (.02)