<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1999 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 850 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 18,618 <ALLOWANCES> 527 <INVENTORY> 36,671 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 56,924 <PP&E> 14,465 <DEPRECIATION> 7,911 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 83,048 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 46,629 <BONDS> 28,256 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 160 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1 <OTHER-SE> 6,157 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 83,048 <SALES> 36,056 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 36,056 <CGS> 29,901 <TOTAL-COSTS> 29,901 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,512 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,166 <INCOME-PRETAX> (340) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (340) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (373) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.02) <EPS-DILUTED> (.02)