<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR
ENDED  DECEMBER  31, 1997 AND IS  QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FORM 10-K.  
</LEGEND>

<CIK>                                         0000935802
<NAME>                                       ANICOM, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                       1,000
<CURRENCY>                                       dollars
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 12-mos                    
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-1997   
<PERIOD-START>                               DEC-27-1996   
<PERIOD-END>                                 DEC-31-1997   
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                    1.000     
<CASH>                                               687     
<SECURITIES>                                           0     
<RECEIVABLES>                                     67,577     
<ALLOWANCES>                                       2,442     
<INVENTORY>                                       57,099     
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 130,255     
<PP&E>                                             7,504     
<DEPRECIATION>                                     1,733     
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   215,457     
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             62,759     
<BONDS>                                                0     
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0     
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                              15     
<OTHER-SE>                                       144,149     
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     215,457     
<SALES>                                          243,664     
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 243,664     
<CGS>                                            187,098     
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    187,098     
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  54,854     
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0     
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   762     
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      950     
<INCOME-TAX>                                         650     
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  300     
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0 
<NET-INCOME>                                         300 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        .00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        .00