<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 195 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 6,979 <ALLOWANCES> 762 <INVENTORY> 11,765 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 19,135 <PP&E> 4,320 <DEPRECIATION> 2,778 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 27,972 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 9,132 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 5,000 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,463 <OTHER-SE> (3,579) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 27,972 <SALES> 4,928 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,928 <CGS> 3,664 <TOTAL-COSTS> 3,664 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,200 <LOSS-PROVISION> 35 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 433 <INCOME-PRETAX> (831) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (831) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (831) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.28) <EPS-DILUTED> (.28)