<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 35,091,188 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 11,130,977 <ALLOWANCES> 520,207 <INVENTORY> 105,421,371 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 161,681,659 <PP&E> 24,989,509 <DEPRECIATION> 3,403,108 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 213,149,153 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 111,472,603 <BONDS> 7,053,467 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 146,730 <OTHER-SE> 89,224,776 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 213,149,153 <SALES> 393,556,747 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 403,966,897 <CGS> 349,366,318 <TOTAL-COSTS> 349,366,318 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 44,223,988 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,985,621 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,390,970 <INCOME-TAX> 573,254 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,817,716 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,817,716 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0