<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 1997 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                           3,644
<SECURITIES>                                    21,538
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,896
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,983
<INVENTORY>                                    103,620
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               173,567
<PP&E>                                          91,805
<DEPRECIATION>                                  59,896
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 217,464
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           61,539
<BONDS>                                         75,899
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,963
<COMMON>                                        25,167
<OTHER-SE>                                      10,881
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   217,464
<SALES>                                        327,283
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               327,283
<CGS>                                          194,694
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  194,694
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,470
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,729
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,595
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (347)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,942
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,942
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .34