<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BRAD RAGAN, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                             541
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,015
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,850
<INVENTORY>                                     41,829
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               116,359
<PP&E>                                           8,883
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,489
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 128,630
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           77,244
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,191
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,010
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   128,630
<SALES>                                         54,419
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                57,485
<CGS>                                           37,497
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   57,691
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   297
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 678
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (884)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (347)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (537)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (537)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.25)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.25)