<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 987,506 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 19,399,873 <ALLOWANCES> 600,330 <INVENTORY> 29,949,967 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 51,379,791 <PP&E> 13,122,751 <DEPRECIATION> 6,602,927 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 78,995,507 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 44,638,005 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 146,725 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,250 <OTHER-SE> 7,994,479 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 78,995,507 <SALES> 70,721,013 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 70,721,013 <CGS> 57,243,275 <TOTAL-COSTS> 57,243,275 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 9,196,593 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,112,627 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,279,704 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,279,704 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (616,239) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 663,465 <EPS-PRIMARY> .04 <EPS-DILUTED> .03