<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BRAD RAGAN, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                             682
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,771
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,050
<INVENTORY>                                     39,692
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               115,016
<PP&E>                                           8,887
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,068
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 127,330
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,456
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,191
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,547
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   127,330
<SALES>                                        238,473
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               251,999
<CGS>                                          165,921
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  249,307
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,832
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,648
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,504
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (4,644)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,735)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2,909)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2,909)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.33)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.33)