No. pages 13
                                                          index exhibit pg. none


                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549

         (Mark one)
             [ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

               For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 1998

                                       OR

             [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

          For the transition period from ______________ to ____________

                         Commission file number 0-21528

                             Bell Microproducts Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         California                                             94-3057566
- -------------------------------                              ----------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

1941 Ringwood Avenue, San Jose, California                       95131-1721
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices )                        (Zip Code)

(408) 451-9400
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code )

N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                Yes _X_     No ___  initial report, previously not
                                       required to file

Common Stock,  $0.01 Par Value -- Number of Shares  Outstanding at September 30,
1998: 8,832,665

                                                                               1




                             Bell Microproducts Inc.
                               Index to Form 10-Q


                                                                           Page
PART  I  -  FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                         Number
                                                                          ------

        Item 1: Financial Statements

              Condensed Balance Sheets - September 30, 1998 and
                December 31, 1997                                             3
              Condensed Statements of Income - Three months and
                nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                 4

              Condensed Statements of Cash Flows -  Nine months
                ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                             5

              Notes to Condensed Financial Statements                         6


        Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                Condition and Results of Operations                           8


        Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk    11


PART II  -  OTHER INFORMATION


        Item 6. Exhibits and Reports                                         12

        Signature                                                            13

                                                                               2




PART I  -  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1:  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                                       Bell Microproducts Inc.
                                                      Condensed Balance Sheets
                                                (in thousands, except per share data)
                                                             (unaudited)


                                                                                                 September 30,          December 31,
                                                                                                     1998                  1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                         
ASSETS
Current assets:
     Cash                                                                                           $  7,725              $  6,325
     Accounts receivable, net                                                                         96,826                79,389
     Inventories                                                                                     113,653                98,379
     Deferred income taxes                                                                             2,582                 2,595
     Prepaid expenses                                                                                  1,406                 1,217
                                                                                                    --------              --------
                  Total current assets                                                               222,192               187,905

Property and equipment, net                                                                           12,229                10,733
Goodwill, net                                                                                          6,468                 6,372
Other assets                                                                                             408                   410
                                                                                                    --------              --------
     Total assets                                                                                   $241,297              $205,420
                                                                                                    ========              ========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable                                                                               $ 68,323              $ 45,540
     Other accrued liabilities                                                                         8,937                 6,025
     Current portion of capitalized lease
        obligations                                                                                    2,230                 1,728
                                                                                                    --------              --------
                  Total current liabilities                                                           79,490                53,293

Line of credit                                                                                        74,500                70,000
Capitalized lease obligations, less current portion                                                    4,962                 4,460
                                                                                                    --------              --------
     Total liabilities                                                                               158,952               127,753
                                                                                                    --------              --------

Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
     Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000 shares
       authorized; 8,833 and 8,696 issued and outstanding                                             54,485                53,495
     Retained earnings                                                                                27,860                24,172
                                                                                                    --------              --------
         Total shareholders' equity                                                                   82,345                77,667
                                                                                                    --------              --------

     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                     $241,297              $205,420
                                                                                                    ========              ========

<FN>
                        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
</FN>

                                                                                                                                   3







                                                       Bell Microproducts Inc.
                                                   Condensed Statements of Income
                                                (in thousands, except per share data)
                                                             (unaudited)


                                                               Three Months ended September 30,      Nine Months ended September 30,
                                                               --------------------------------      -------------------------------
                                                                   1998               1997               1998               1997
                                                                 ---------          ---------          ---------          ---------
                                                                                                                    
Sales                                                            $ 175,741          $ 138,003          $ 449,739          $ 394,107
Cost of sales                                                      158,139            124,375            403,404            350,706
                                                                 ---------          ---------          ---------          ---------
Gross profit                                                        17,602             13,628             46,335             43,401

Selling, general and
   administrative expenses                                          12,403             11,587             35,947             32,307
                                                                 ---------          ---------          ---------          ---------
Income from operations                                               5,199              2,041             10,388             11,094
Interest expense                                                    (1,447)            (1,122)            (3,959)            (3,192)
                                                                 ---------          ---------          ---------          ---------
Income before income taxes                                           3,752                919              6,429              7,902
Provision for income taxes                                          (1,617)              (386)            (2,741)            (3,319)
                                                                 ---------          ---------          ---------          ---------

Net income                                                       $   2,135          $     533          $   3,688          $   4,583
                                                                 =========          =========          =========          =========

Earnings per share:
     Basic                                                       $    0.24          $    0.06          $    0.42          $    0.54
                                                                 =========          =========          =========          =========
     Diluted                                                     $    0.24          $    0.06          $    0.42          $    0.51
                                                                 =========          =========          =========          =========

Shares used in per share calculation:
     Basic                                                           8,831              8,607              8,774              8,539
                                                                 =========          =========          =========          =========
     Diluted                                                         8,874              8,886              8,841              8,933
                                                                 =========          =========          =========          =========

<FN>
                        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
</FN>

                                                                                                                                   4






                                                       Bell Microproducts Inc.
                                                 Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
                                             (Increase/(decrease) in cash, in thousands)
                                                             (unaudited)


                                                                                                     Nine months ended September 30,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          1998              1997
                                                                                                         --------          --------
                                                                                                                          
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                                                                               $  3,688          $  4,583
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
  cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
          Depreciation and amortization                                                                     2,608             2,096
          Change in allowance for doubtful accounts                                                         2,019              (936)
          Change in deferred income taxes                                                                      13              --
          Changes in assets and liabilities:
              Accounts receivable                                                                         (19,456)          (12,986)
              Inventories                                                                                 (15,274)          (18,557)
              Prepaid expenses                                                                               (189)             (655)
              Other assets                                                                                      2               (59)
              Accounts payable                                                                             22,783            14,397
              Other accrued liabilities                                                                     2,912               986
                                                                                                         --------          --------

                Net cash used in operating activities                                                        (894)          (11,131)
                                                                                                         --------          --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment, net                                                                 (1,838)           (2,356)
                                                                                                         --------          --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under line of credit agreement                                                               4,500            16,100
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock                                                                        990             1,168
Principal payments on long term liabilities                                                                (1,358)           (1,319)
                                                                                                         --------          --------

                Net cash provided by financing  activities                                                  4,132            15,949
                                                                                                         --------          --------

Net increase in cash                                                                                        1,400             2,462
Cash at beginning of period                                                                                 6,325             5,682
                                                                                                         --------          --------

Cash at end of period                                                                                    $  7,725          $  8,144
                                                                                                         ========          ========

Supplemental  disclosures of cash flow information:
    Cash paid during the period for:
         Interest                                                                                        $  3,946          $  3,178
         Income taxes                                                                                    $  2,118          $  2,678
    Obligations incurred under capital leases                                                            $  2,362          $  1,333

<FN>
                        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
</FN>

                                                                                                                                   5





NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation:

         The condensed financial  statements  presented in this Quarterly Report
are unaudited.  It is management's  opinion that all adjustments,  consisting of
normal recurring items, have been included for fair presentation. This Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company's 1997 Annual
Report on Form 10-K. The operating  results for the three and nine month periods
ended September 30, 1998 are not necessarily  indicative of the results that may
be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

         In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of  Financial   Accounting   Standards  No.  133,   "Accounting  for  Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities" (SFAS 133"). FAS 133 establishes a new model
for accounting for derivatives and hedging  activities and supersedes and amends
a  number  of  existing  accounting  standards.   SFAS  133  requires  that  all
derivatives  be recognized in the balance sheet at their fair market value,  and
the corresponding derivative gains or losses be either reported in the statement
of  operations or a deferred  item  depending on the type of hedge  relationship
that exists with respect to such derivative. Adopting the provisions of SFAS 133
are  not  expected  to  have  a  material  effect  on  the  Company's  financial
statements. The standard is effective for the Company in fiscal 2000.

         In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 131,  "Disclosures  about Segments of an
Enterprise  and  Related   Information,"  ("SFAS  131").  SFAS  131  establishes
standards  for  reporting  information  about  operating  segments in annual and
interim  financial  statements.  This Statement also  establishes  standards for
related  disclosures  about  products and services,  geographic  areas and major
customers.  SFAS 131 is effective for financial statements for periods beginning
after  December 15, 1997.  The Company will adopt SFAS 131 as of the year ending
December 31, 1998 and is currently studying its provisions.

Note 2 - Earnings per Share

         The Company  adopted  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No.
128,  "Earnings Per Share" ("SFAS 128") during the fourth quarter of 1997.  This
statement  simplifies  the  standards  for  computing  earnings  per share (EPS)
previously  defined in Accounting  Principles Board Opinion No. 15 "Earnings Per
Share". All prior-period earnings per share data has been restated in accordance
with SFAS 128. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income  available to common
shareholders  (numerator)  by the  weighted  average  number  of  common  shares
outstanding  (denominator)  during the period.  Diluted EPS gives  effect to all
dilutive  potential common shares  outstanding during the period including stock
options, using the treasury stock method, and convertible preferred stock, using
the if-converted method.

                                                                               6





         Following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the
Basic  and  Diluted  EPS  computations  for  the  periods  presented  below  (in
thousands, except per share data):


                                                          Three Months ended September 30,        Nine Months ended September 30,
                                                          --------------------------------        -------------------------------
                                                               1998             1997                   1998             1997
                                                              ------           ------                 ------           ------
                                                                                                              
Net income                                                    $2,135           $  533                 $3,688           $4,583
                                                              ======           ======                 ======           ======
Weighted average common shares                                                                  
     outstanding (Basic)                                       8,831            8,607                  8,774            8,539

Effect of dilutive warrants and options                           43              279                     67              394
                                                              ------           ------                 ------           ------
Weighted average common shares                                                                  
     outstanding (Diluted)                                     8,874            8,886                  8,841            8,933
                                                              ======           ======                 ======           ======

Earnings per share                                                                              
Basic                                                         $ 0.24           $ 0.06                 $ 0.42           $ 0.54
                                                              ======           ======                 ======           ======
Diluted                                                       $ 0.24           $ 0.06                 $ 0.42           $ 0.51
                                                              ======           ======                 ======           ======
                                                                                                 



         Options  to  purchase  779,100  shares  of common  stock at a  weighted
average exercise price of $9.05 per share were outstanding at September 30, 1998
but were not  included in the  computation  of Diluted EPS because the  options'
exercise  prices were greater than the average  market price of the common stock
during the  period.  At  September  30,  1997,  there were  230,700  options and
warrants  outstanding to purchase  common stock at a weighted  average  exercise
price of $10.79 per share excluded from the Diluted EPS computation due to their
anti-dilution.

Note 3 - Inventories:


         A summary of inventories follows (in thousands):


                                                        September 30, 1998                December 31, 1997
                                                    ---------------------------       ---------------------------
                                                                                               
     Purchased components and materials                     $   99,680                        $   89,733
     Work-in-process                                            13,973                             8,646
                                                    ---------------------------       ---------------------------
     Total                                                  $  113,653                        $   98,379
                                                    ===========================       ===========================



Note 4 - Property and Equipment:


         A summary of property and equipment follows (in thousands):


                                                        September 30, 1998                December 31, 1997
                                                    ---------------------------       ---------------------------
                                                                                               
     Manufacturing and test equipment                       $   12,511                       $     9,721
     Computer and other equipment                                4,308                             4,041
     Furniture and fixtures                                      2,170                             1,950
     Leasehold improvements                                      2,237                             1,784
     Warehouse equipment                                           594                               459
                                                    ---------------------------       ---------------------------
                                                                21,820                            17,955
     Accumulated depreciation                                   (9,591)                           (7,222)
                                                    ---------------------------       ---------------------------
     Total                                                  $   12,229                        $   10,733
                                                    ===========================       ===========================

                                                                                                                7






Note 5 - Line of Credit

         On June 17, 1997,  the Company  entered into an amendment to the Second
Amended and Restated Syndicated Credit Agreement,  arranged by California Bank &
Trust as Agent,  formerly Sumitomo Bank of California.  The amendment  increased
the Company's $80 million revolving line of credit to $100 million and in August
1998,  the agreement was further  amended to extend the maturity date to May 31,
2000.  At the Company's  option,  the  borrowings  under the line of credit bear
interest at California Bank & Trust's prime rate or the adjusted LIBOR rate plus
1.40%. At September 30, 1998 California Bank & Trust's prime rate was 8.25%. The
revolving line of credit  requires the Company to meet certain  financial  tests
and to comply with  certain  other  covenants  on a quarterly  basis,  including
restrictions  on  incurrence  of  debt  and  liens,   restrictions  on  mergers,
acquisitions,  asset  dispositions,  declaration  of dividends,  repurchases  of
stock, making investments and profitability.  The Company was in compliance with
its bank  covenants at September  30, 1998;  however,  there can be no assurance
that the Company will be in compliance in the future. Obligations of the Company
under the  revolving  line of credit  are  secured by  substantially  all of the
Company's assets.

Note 6 - Acquisitions

         On September 18, 1998 the Company  signed a letter of intent to acquire
the  net  assets  of the  computer  products  division  of Almo  Corporation,  a
privately  held  company  located in  Philadelphia.  The  division  is a leading
distributor of disk drives,  monitors and Trademark(R)  computers.  The division
reported revenues of approximately  $146 million in its most recent fiscal year.
In October  1998 the  Company  signed  another  letter of intent to acquire  the
assets of Tenex  Data,  a division  of Axidata,  Inc. a  Toronto-based  computer
products  distributor.  The  Canadian  distributor  reported  approximately  $35
million  (USD)  in  sales  in  1997.  Both  acquisitions  are  subject  to final
negotiation  of  the  definitive  agreements,  satisfactory  completion  of  due
diligence,  and regulatory approval.  The Company is currently  negotiating with
its banks to increase its existing line of credit to fund the  acquisitions  and
to provide future working capital.

ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

         The  following  Management's   Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial
Condition and Results of Operations contains  forward-looking  statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the  Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934.  Actual results could differ  materially  from
those  projected in the  forward-looking  statements  as a result of a number of
factors,  including  the timing of  delivery  of products  from  suppliers,  the
product mix sold by the Company,  customer demand, the Company's dependence on a
small number of customers  that account for a  significant  portion of revenues,
the expected completion of the proposed  acquisitions,  availability of products
from  suppliers,  cyclicality  in the disk  drive  and other  industries,  price
competition  for  products  sold  by the  Company,  management  of  growth,  the
Company's ability to collect accounts  receivable,  price decreases on inventory
that is not price  protected,  the lack of  profitability  of  Quadrus in recent
periods,  potential year 2000 costs,  potential  interest rate  fluctuations  as
described  below and the other risk  factors  detailed in the  Company's  Annual
Report  on Form  10-K  for the year  ended  December  31,  1997  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company assumes no obligation to update
such  forward-looking  statements or to update the reasons  actual results could
differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.

Three months ended  September 30, 1998 compared to three months ended  September
30, 1997

         Sales were $175.7  million for the quarter  ended  September  30, 1998,
which  represented  an increase of $37.7  million,  or 27%  compared to the same
quarter in 1997.  Distribution  sales  increased $24.8 million to $148.8 million
and sales  through  the  Company's  contract  manufacturing  division  (Quadrus)
increased

                                                                               8




$13.0  million  to  $26.9  million.  The  increase  in  distribution  sales  was
attributable  to an increase in sales of computer  products  which resulted from
new product lines added to the Company's  product  offering and the expansion of
unit sales in existing  product  lines.  The increase in contract  manufacturing
sales was  primarily  due to the growth of new business  from  recently  engaged
customers.

         The  Company's  gross  profit  for the third  quarter of 1998 was $17.6
million,  an increase of $4.0  million,  or 29% from the third  quarter of 1997.
Gross profit  increased  $2.4 million in the  Company's  contract  manufacturing
division  and $1.6 million in the  distribution  division.  As a  percentage  of
sales, gross margin was 10.0% in the third quarter of 1998,  compared to 9.9% in
the same quarter of 1997.  Quadrus' gross profits increased as sales volume rose
above the level required to absorb overhead expenses.

         Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  increased  7% to $12.4
million in the third  quarter of 1998 from $11.6 million in the third quarter of
1997,  but decreased as a percentage of sales to 7.1% from 8.4%. The increase in
expenses was primarily  attributable  to increased sales volume and increases to
bad debt expenses due to increased sales volumes and changing market condition.

         Interest  expense  was $1.4  million  in the third  quarter  of 1998 as
compared to $1.1 million in the same period in 1997. This increase was primarily
due to higher bank borrowings during the quarter.

         The  effective  income tax rate remained  relatively  unchanged at 43%,
during the third  quarter of 1998 as  compared  to 42% in the same  period  last
year.

Nine months ended September 30, 1998 compared to nine months ended September 30,
1997

         Sales were $449.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998,
an increase of $55.6 million, or 14% over the same period in 1997.  Distribution
sales  increased  $52.3  million,  or 15% while  manufacturing  sales  rose $3.3
million,  or 6% compared to the same period in 1997. This increase was primarily
attributable to increased computer product sales within distribution as a result
of new product lines added to the Company's  product  offering and the expansion
of unit sales in existing product lines.

         The Company's gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 1998
was $46.3  million,  an  increase  of $2.9  million,  or 7% compared to the same
period  in  1997.  Of  this  increase,  $4.3  million  was  attributable  to the
distribution  division,  which was offset by a decrease  of $1.4  million in the
Company's contract  manufacturing  division.  The increase in distribution gross
profit was attributable to an increase in sales volume of computer products.

         Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  increased 11% to $35.9
million  in the first nine  months of 1998 from $32.3  million in the first nine
months of 1997.  The increase in expenses was  attributable  to increased  sales
volume and the  Company's  continuing  effort to expand its sales and  marketing
organization.

         Interest  expense was $4.0  million in the first nine months of 1998 as
compared to $3.2 million in the same period in 1997. This increase was primarily
due to increased average bank borrowings during the period.

         The Company's effective tax rate remained  relatively  unchanged at 43%
for the first nine  months of 1998 as  compared  to 42% for the same period last
year.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

In recent  years,  the  Company  has funded  its  working  capital  requirements
principally  through  borrowings  under bank lines of  credit.  Working  capital
requirements  have included the financing of increases in inventory and accounts
receivable resulting from sales growth.

                                                                               9




         On June 17, 1997,  and as further  amended in August 1998,  the Company
entered into an amendment to the Second Amended and Restated  Syndicated  Credit
Agreement  arranged by California Bank & Trust as Agent,  formerly Sumitomo Bank
of California.  The amendment increased the Company's $80 million revolving line
of credit to $100 million.  At the Company's  option,  the borrowings  under the
line of credit will bear interest at California Bank & Trust's prime rate or the
adjusted LIBOR rate plus 1.40%. At September 30, 1998, California Bank & Trust's
prime rate was 8.25%.  The revolving line of credit has a final payment due date
of May 31,  2000.  The  revolving  line of credit  requires  the Company to meet
certain  financial  tests  and to  comply  with  certain  other  covenants  on a
quarterly  basis,  including  restrictions  on  incurrence  of debt  and  liens,
restrictions  on  mergers,  acquisitions,  asset  dispositions,  declaration  of
dividends,   repurchases  of  stock,   making   investments  and  profitability.
Obligations  of the Company  under the  revolving  line of credit are secured by
substantially  all of the  Company's  assets.  The  balance  outstanding  on the
revolving  line of credit at September 30, 1998 was $74.5  million.  The Company
intends to utilize its revolving line of credit to fund future  working  capital
requirements. The Company was in compliance with its bank covenants at September
30,  1998;  however,  there  can be no  assurance  that the  Company  will be in
compliance with its bank covenants in the future. If the Company does not remain
in compliance with the covenants in its Amended and Restated  Syndicated  Credit
Agreement and is unable to obtain a waiver of noncompliance  from its banks, the
Company's  financial  condition  and results of  operations  would be materially
adversely affected.

         At September  30,  1998,  the Company had $7.7 million of cash and cash
equivalents.  Net cash used in  operating  activities  for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998 was $0.9 million. The Company's net accounts receivable as of
September 30, 1998  increased to $96.8 million from $79.4 million as of December
31, 1997 as a result of increased sales at the end of the current  quarter.  The
Company's  inventories as of September 30, 1998 increased to $113.7 million from
$98.4  million as of December 31, 1997,  primarily as a result of the  Company's
need to support  anticipated future sales  requirements.  The Company's accounts
payable as of September  30, 1998  increased to $68.3 million from $45.5 million
as of December 31, 1997, due to increased  inventory purchases as well as timing
of  inventory  receipts  and  payments  related  thereto.  The Company used $1.8
million for the  acquisition  of property and  equipment  during the nine months
ended September 30, 1998. Net cash provided by financing  activities  during the
nine months ended  September 30, 1998 totaled $4.1 million,  which was primarily
related to borrowings  under the Company's line of credit.  The Company's future
cash  requirements  will  depend  on  numerous  factors,   including   potential
acquisitions  and the rate of growth of its  sales.  The  Company  is  currently
negotiating  with its banks to increase its line of credit to meet the Company's
short term capital  requirements.  However, the Company may, in the future, seek
additional debt or equity financing to fund continued growth.

Year 2000 Compliance

         The Year 2000 issue  relates to the way  computer  systems and programs
define  calendar  dates;  they  could  fail  or  make   miscalculations  due  to
interpreting a date including  "00" to mean 1900, not 2000.  Also,  many systems
and equipment that are not typically thought of as "computer-related"  (referred
to as  "non-IT)  contain  imbedded  hardware  or  software  that may have a time
element.

         The  Company's  plan to  address  the Year 2000  issue  includes  three
phases: identification of all systems and equipment, both information technology
("IT") and non-IT that may be affected  by the Year

                                                                              10




2000 issue; evaluation and development of strategies to address affected systems
and equipment; and remediation of affected systems and equipment.

         The Company has identified all affected systems and equipment,  both IT
and non-IT and has completed its Year 2000  compliance  evaluation.  The Company
has  determined  that the majority of its affected  systems  (both  software and
hardware)  require  upgrades  versus  replacements  in order to become Year 2000
compliant.   Estimated   costs  to   complete   the   implementation   including
installation/upgrade,  testing and  training is  approximately  $100,000.  As of
September 30, 1998,  the Company has incurred  expenses  totaling  approximately
$40,000. The Company expects to be 100% Year 2000 compliant in the first quarter
of 1999.

         The  Company has  identified  and  contacted  its  critical  suppliers,
service providers and contractors to determine the extent to which the Company's
interface systems are vulnerable to those third parties' failure to remedy their
own Year 2000 issues.  To the extent that  responses to Year 2000  readiness are
unsatisfactory,  the Company intends to change suppliers,  service providers and
contractors  to those who have  demonstrated  Year 2000  readiness but cannot be
assured  that it will be  successful  in  finding  such  alternative  suppliers,
service  providers  and  contractors.  The Company does not  currently  have any
formal  information  concerning the Year 2000 compliance status of its customers
but has received indications that most of its customers are working on Year 2000
compliance.  In the event that any of the  Company's  significant  customers and
suppliers do not successfully  and timely achieve Year 2000 compliance,  and the
Company is unable to replace them with new customers or alternate suppliers, the
Company's business or operations could be adversely affected. The Company has no
contingency plan regarding the most reasonably likely case scenario in the event
it does not adequately address the Year 2000 issue. The Company plans to develop
a contingency plan before April 1, 1999.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

         The Company announced that it signed  non-binding  letters of intent to
acquire  certain assets and assume certain  liabilities  comprising the computer
products  division of Almo  Corporation  and the Tenex Data division of Axidata,
Inc. of Ontario,  Canada.  The Company is also negotiating to expand its line of
credit with California Bank & Trust to secure  financing for these  transactions
if they are consummated.  Both  acquisitions are subject to final negotiation of
the  definitive  agreements,  satisfactory  completion  of  due  diligence,  and
regulatory  approval.  If these  transactions are consummated,  the Company will
need to integrate these  operations with the other  operations of the Company to
maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures, and policies. The Company will
need to avoid the impairment of  relationships  with employees,  customers,  and
suppliers  that could result from poor  integration  of the acquired  divisions.
There can be no assurances in this regard.

ITEM 3:  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk Disclosure

         The  Company's  line of credit  has an  interest  rate that is based on
associated  rates that may fluctuate over time based on economic  changes in the
environment,  such as LIBOR  and the Prime  Rate.  The  Company  is  subject  to
interest  rate risk,  and could be subjected to increased  interest  payments if
market interest rates fluctuate. The Company does not expect any changes in such
interest rates to have a material  adverse effect on the Company's  results from
operations.

                                                                              11




Item 6.           Exhibits and Reports

                  (a)      Exhibits:

                           27. Financial Data Schedule for the nine months ended
                               September 30, 1998.

                           99. Eighth Amendment to  Second Amended  and Restated
                               Credit Agreement

                  (b)      Reports on Form 8-K:
                           None

                                                                              12




Signature

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dated:   November 14, 1998
       ---------------------------


                                             BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.





                                             By: Bruce M. Jaffe
                                                 -------------------------------
                                             Sr. Vice President of Finance and
                                             Operations, Chief Financial Officer
                                             and Secretary (Principal Financial
                                             Officer and Accounting Officer)

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