<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-27-1997 <PERIOD-START> DEC-29-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-29-1997 <CASH> 241,381 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 59,885,136 <ALLOWANCES> 428,571 <INVENTORY> 101,147,470 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 165,526,250 <PP&E> 106,424,847 <DEPRECIATION> 45,707,863 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 233,651,626 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 75,268,951 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 17,072,720 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 233,651,626 <SALES> 214,692,009 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 214,692,009 <CGS> 194,985,651 <TOTAL-COSTS> 194,985,651 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,170,803 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,014,516 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,202,873 <INCOME-TAX> 1,947,870 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,255,003 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,255,003 <EPS-PRIMARY> .18 <EPS-DILUTED> .18