<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER  ENDING  SEPTEMBER  30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFRENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000935802
<NAME>                        ANICOM, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                 1.000
<CASH>                                             95
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 124,415
<ALLOWANCES>                                    2,503
<INVENTORY>                                   103,539
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              249,495
<PP&E>                                         15,931
<DEPRECIATION>                                  5,185
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                389,305
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         209,958
<BONDS>                                        91,869
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          20,000
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                           17
<OTHER-SE>                                    159,330
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  389,305
<SALES>                                       402,517
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              402,517
<CGS>                                         322,162
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 322,162
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               90,116
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              4,692
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (14,453)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (5,939)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,514)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,154)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (.36)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.36)