<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 524,648 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 18,206,673 <ALLOWANCES> 643,018 <INVENTORY> 25,866,750 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 46,918,904 <PP&E> 14,307,307 <DEPRECIATION> 5,494,602 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 94,084,936 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 64,790,898 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 136,641 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,250 <OTHER-SE> 25,341,751 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 94,084,936 <SALES> 113,053,741 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 113,053,741 <CGS> 94,194,763 <TOTAL-COSTS> 94,194,763 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 13,174,410 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,080,729 <INCOME-PRETAX> 735,416 <INCOME-TAX> 307,417 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (34,627) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (34,627) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.00) <EPS-DILUTED> (.00)