<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                           5,469
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  138,076
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    121,551
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               285,845
<PP&E>                                          23,451
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 320,756
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          109,925
<BONDS>                                         35,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           129
<OTHER-SE>                                     167,889
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   320,756
<SALES>                                        208,039
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               208,039
<CGS>                                           86,272
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,951
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 20,183
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,642
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,541
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,541
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.21<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.17
<FN>
<F1>THE AMOUNT IS REPORTED AS EPS BASIC AND NOT FOR EPS PRIMARY.
</FN>