<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BOOK
CENTERS, INC.'S MARCH 31, 1996 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK>  0000050326
<NAME>  BOOK CENTERS, INC.
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,775,625
<ALLOWANCES>                                    40,274
<INVENTORY>                                  1,317,719
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             5,359,930
<PP&E>                                         431,226
<DEPRECIATION>                                 255,492
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,538,059
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        6,134,702
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                     1,216,165
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  (1,868,036)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,538,059
<SALES>                                     17,552,954
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            17,552,954
<CGS>                                       14,737,853
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               17,318,819
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              65,017
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                154,553
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            154,553
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   154,553
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .22