<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MOORE-HANDLEY, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                             331
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,469
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     16,820
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                43,970
<PP&E>                                          18,765
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (9,986)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  53,514
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           31,661
<BONDS>                                          5,043
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           251  
<OTHER-SE>                                      15,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    53,514
<SALES>                                        113,803
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               113,803
<CGS>                                           96,120
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   96,120
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,664
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 621
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,103)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (410)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (693)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (693)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.32)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.32)