<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 1997 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                           2,945
<SECURITIES>                                    27,615
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,643
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,708
<INVENTORY>                                     94,456
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               164,102
<PP&E>                                          87,969
<DEPRECIATION>                                  57,684
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 206,489
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,541
<BONDS>                                         76,063
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,962
<COMMON>                                        25,000
<OTHER-SE>                                       4,566
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   206,489
<SALES>                                        203,174
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               203,174
<CGS>                                          121,773
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  121,773
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,811
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,173
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,602
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (437)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,039
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,039
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .11