<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BRAD RAGAN, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                             366
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   71,863
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,920
<INVENTORY>                                     45,464
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               122,430
<PP&E>                                           8,916
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,947
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 134,792
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           82,369
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,191
<OTHER-SE>                                      45,110
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   134,792
<SALES>                                        177,610
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               188,017
<CGS>                                          123,181
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  185,283
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,151
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,811
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (3,909)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,563)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2,346)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2,346)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.07)