<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERIQUEST TECHNOLOGIES, INC., AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,920
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,594
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     25,640
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                65,456
<PP&E>                                           1,493
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  68,025
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          114,796
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           669
<OTHER-SE>                                     111,145
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    68,025
<SALES>                                        164,624
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               164,624
<CGS>                                          155,112
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  155,112
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                43,993
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,341
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (36,822)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (36,822)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (36,822)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.55)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.55)